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ELEANOR  ASHBY  BANCROFT 
1903-1956 

Graduate  of  the  University  of  California  with  the 
degree  of  B.A.  in  history,  1926,  and  the  Certificate 
of  Librarianship,  1938.  Associated  with  the  Ban- 
croft Library  for  36  years  as  student  assistant, 
reference  librarian,  and  Assistant  to  the  Director, 
Mrs.  Bancroft  attained  wide  recognition  as  a  bibli- 
ographer and  an  authority  on  the  history  of  Cali- 
fornia and  the  West.  In  remembrance  of  a  warm 
and  genial  personality,  and  of  long  and  devoted 
service  to  scholarship,  this  gift  is  presented  by  her 
friends. 


*M       -     • 

35TH  CONGRESS,  \    HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES.     (  Ex.  Doc. 
1st  Session,  (    No.  71. 


THE  UTAH  EXPEDITION. 

_* 03 

MESSAGE 

FROM    THE 

PRESIDENT  OF   THE   UNITED    STATES, 


TRANSMITTING 


Reports  from  the  Secretaries  of  State,  of  War,  of  the  Interior,  and  of  the 
Attorney  General,  relative  to  t/ie  military  expedition  ordered  into  the 
Territory  of  Utah. 


FEBRUARY  26,  1858.— Referred  to  the  Committee  on  Territories. 


2t)  the  House  of  Representatives : 

I  herewith  transmit  to  the  House  of  Representatives  the  reports  of 
the  Secretaries  of  State,  of  War,  of  the  Interior,  and  of  the  Attorney 
(reneral,  containing  the  information  called  for  by  a  resolution  of  the 
House,  of  the  27th  ultimo,  requesting  "the  President,  if  not  incom- 
patible with  the  public  interest,  to  communicate  to  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives the  information  which  gave  rise  to  the  military  expedi- 
tions ordered  to  Utah  Territory,  the  instructions  to  the  army  officers 
in  connexion  with  the  same,  and  all  correspondence  which  has  taken 
place  with  said  army  officers,  with  Brigham  Young  and  his  followers, 
or  with  others,  throwing  light  upon  the  question  as  to  how  far  said 
Brigham  Young  and  his  followers  are  in  a  state  of  rebellion  or  resist- 
ance to  the  government  of  the  United  States." 

JAMES  BUCHANAN. 

WASHINGTON  CITY,  February  26,  1858. 


DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE, 
Washington,  February  3,  1858. 

The  Secretary  of  State,  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolution  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  of  the  2*7 th  ultimo,  requesting  "the  Presi- 
dent, if  not  incompatible  with  the  public  interest,  to  communicate  to 
the  House  of  Representatives  the  information  which  gave  rise  to  the 
military  expedition  ordered  to  Utah  Territory,  the  instructions  to  the 


^  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

army  officers  in  connexion  with  the  same,  and  all  correspondence 
which  has  taken  place  with  said  army  officers,  with  Brigham  Young 
and  his  followers,  or  with  others,  throwing  light  upon  the  question 
as  to  how  far  said  Brigham  Young  and  his  followers  are  in  a  state  of 
rebellion  or  resistance  to  the  government  of  the  United  States,"  has 
the  honor  to  report  that  the  only  document  on  record  or  on  file  in  this 
department,  touching  the  subject  of  the  resolution,  is  the  letter  of  Mr. 
W.  M.  F.  Magraw  to  the  President,  of  the  3d  of  October  last,  a  copy 
of  which  is  hereunto  annexed. 

Kespectfully  submitted. 

LEWIS  CASS. 
The  PRESIDENT  OP  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


Mr.  Magraw  to  the  President. 

INDEPENDENCE,  MISSOURI,  October  3,  1856. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  I  feel  it  incumbent  upon  me  as  a  personal  and 
political  friend,  to  lay  before  you  some  information  relative  to  the 
present  political  aud  social  condition  of  the  Territory  of  Utah,  which 
may  be  of  importance. 

There  is  no  disguising  the  fact,  that  there  is  left  no  vestige  of  law 
and  order,  no  protection  for  life  or  property  ;  the  civil  laws  of  the 
Territory  are  overshadowed  and  neutralized  by  a  so-styled  ecclesiastical 
organization,  as  despotic,  dangerous  and  damnable,  as  has  ever  been 
known  to  exist  in  any  country,  and  which  is  ruining  not  only  those 
who  do  not  subscribe  to  their  religious  code,  but  is  driving  the  mode- 
rate and  more  orderly  of  the  Mormon  community  to  desperation. 
Formerly,  violence  committed  upon  the  rights  of  persons  and  property 
were  attempted  to  be  justified  by  some  pretext  manufactured  for  the 
occasion,  under  color  of  law  as  it  exists  in  that  country.  The  victims 
were  usually  of  that  class  whose  obscurity  and  want  of  information 
necessary  to  insure  proper  investigation  and  redress  of  their  wrongs 
were  sufficient  to  guarantee  to  the  perpetrators  freedom  from  punish- 
ment. Emboldened  by  the  success  which  attended  their  first  attempts 
at  lawlessness,  no  pretext  or  apology  seems  now  to  be  deemed  requisite, 
nor  is  any  class  exempt  from  outrage ;  all  alike  are  set  upon  by  the 
self  constituted  theocracy,  whose  laws,  or  rather  whose  conspiracies, 
are  framed  in  dark  corners,  promulgated  from  the  stand  of  tabernacle 
or  church,  and  executed  at  midnight,  or  upon  the  highways,  by  an 
organized  band  of  bravos  and  assassins,  whose  masters  compel  an 
outraged  community  to  tolerate  in  their  midst.  The  result  is  that  a 
considerable  and  highly  respectable  portion  of  the  community,  known 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  whose  enterprise  is  stimulated  by  a 
laudable  desire  to  improve  their  fortunes  by  honorable  exertions,  are 
left  helpless  victims  to  outrage  and  oppression,  liable  at  any  moment 
to  be  stripped  of  their  property  or  deprived  of  life,  without  the  ability 
to  put  themselves  under  the  protection  of  law,  since  all  the  courts  that 
exist  there  at  present  are  converted  into  engines  and  instruments  of 
injustice. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION,  3 

For  want  of  time  I  am  compelled  thus  to  generalize,  but  particular 
cases,,  with  all  the  attendant  circumstances,  names  of  parties  and  local- 
ities are  not  wanting  to  swell  the  calendar  of  crime  and  outrage  to 
limits  that  will,  when  published,  startle  the  conservative  people  of  the 
States,  and  create  a  clamor  which  will  not  be  readily  quelled  ;  and  I 
have  no  doubt  that  the  time  is  near  at  hand,  and  the  elements  rapidly 
combining  to  bring  about  a  state  of  affairs  which  will  result  in  indis- 
criminate bloodshed,  robbery  and  rapine,  and  which  in  a  brief  space 
of  time  will  reduce  that  country  to  the  condition  of  a  howling  wilder- 
ness. 

There  are  hundreds  of  good  men  in  the  country,  who  have  for  years 
endured  every  privations  from  the  comforts  and  enjoyments  of  civilized 
life,  to  confront  every  description  of  danger  for  the  purpose  of  im- 
proving their  fortunes.  These  men  have  suffered  repeated  wrong  and 
injustice,  which  they  have  endeavored  to  repair  by  renewed  exertions, 
patiently  awaiting  the  correction  of  outrage  by  that  government  which 
it  is  their  pride  to  claim  citizenship  under,  and  whose  protection  they 
have  a  right  to  expect;  but  they  now  see  themselves  liable,  at  any 
moment,  to  be  stripped  of  their  hard  earned  means,  the  lives  of  them- 
selves and  their  colleagues  threatened  and  taken  ;  ignominy  and  abuse, 
heaped  upon  them  day  after  day,  if  resented,  is  followed  by  murder. 

Many  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Territory  possess  passions  and 
elements  of  character  calculated  to  drive  them  to  extremes,  and  have 
the  ability  to  conceive  and  the  courage  to  carry  out  the  boldest  meas- 
ures for  redress,  and  I  know  that  they  will  be  at  no  loss  for  a  leader. 
When  such  as  these  are  driven  by  their  wrongs  to  vindicate,  not  only 
their  rights  as  citizens,  but  their  pride  of  manhood,  the  question  of 
disparity  in  numerical  force  is  not  considered  among  their  difficulties, 
and  I  am  satisfied  that  a  recital  of  their  grievances  would  form  an 
apology,  if  not  a  sufficient  justification,  for  the  violation  on  their  part 
of  the  usages  of  civilized  communities. 

In  addressing  you,  I  have  endeavored  to  discard  all  feelings  arising 
from  my  personal  annoyances  in  the  Mormon  country,  but  have 
desired  to  lay  before  you  the  actual  condition  of  affairs,  and  to  prevent, 
if  possible,  scenes  of  lawlessness  which,  I  fear,  will  be  inevitable  unless 
speedy  and  powerful  preventives  are  applied.  I  have  felt  free  to  thus 
address  you,  from  the  fact  that  some  slight  requests  made  of  me  when 
I  last  left  Washington,  on  the  subject  of  the  affairs  of  Kansas,  justified 
me  in  believing  that  you  had  confidence  in  my  integrity,  and  that 
what  influence  I  could  exert  would  not  be  wanting  to  terminate  the 
unfortunate  difficulties  in  that  Territory;  I  have  the  pleasure  of  assur- 
ing you  that  my  efforts  were  not  spared. 

With  regard  to  the  affairs  and  proceedings  of  the  probate  court,  the 
only  existing  tribunal  in  the  Territory  of  Utah?:  there  being  but  one  of 
the  three  federal  judges  now  in  the  Territory,  I  will  refer  you  to  its 
records,  and  to  the  evidence  of  gentlemen  whose  assertions  cannot  be 
questioned ;  as  to  the  treatment  of  myself,  I  will  leave  that  to  the 
representation  of  others  ;  at  all  events,  the  object  I  have  in  view,  the 
end  I  wish  to  accomplish  for  the  general  good,  will  preclude  my 
wearying  you  with  a  recital  of  them  at  present. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  truly  yours-,  &c. 

W.  M.  F.  MAGRAW. 


4  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
Washington,  February  15,  1858. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit,  herewith,  copies  of  the  corres- 
pondence called  for  by  a  resolution  of  the  House  of  Kepresentatives  of 
the  27th  January  last,  requesting  the  President  to  furnish  that  hody 
with  the  information  which  gave  rise  to  the  military  expeditions 
ordered  to  Utah  Territory.  The  instructions  to  the  army  officers  in 
connexion  with  the  same,  and  all  correspondence  which  has  taken 
place  with  said  army  officers,  with  Brigham  Young  and  his  followers, 
or  with  others,  throwing  light  upon  the  question  as  to  how  far  said 
Brigham  Young  and  his  followers  are  in  a  state  of  rebellion  or  resis- 
tance to  the  government  of  the  United  States,  so  far  as  the  same  is 
afforded  by  the  files  of  this  department. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  B.  FLOYD, 

Secretary  of  War. 
The  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


CIRCULAR. 

To  the  Adjutant  General,  Quartermaster  General,  Commissary  General) 
Surgeon  General^  Paymaster  General,  and  Chief  of  Ordnance. 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

May  28,  1857. 

Orders  having  been  dispatched  in  haste  for  the  assemblage  of  a 
body  of  troops  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  to  march  thence  to  Utah  as  soon 
as  assembled.  The  general-in -chief,  in  concert  with  the  War  De- 
partment, issues  the  following  instructions,  to  be  executed  by  the  chiefs 
of  the  respective  staff  departments,  in  connexion  with  his  general 
orders  of  this  date  : 

1.  The  force — 2d  dragoons,  5th  infantry,  10th  infantry  and  Phelps' 
battery   of  the   4th   artillery — to   be  provided   with   transportation 
and  supplies,  will  be  estimated  at  not  less  than  2,500  men. 

2.  The  Adjutant  General  will,   in  concert  with  the  chiefs  of  the 
respective  departments,  issue  the  necessary  orders  for  assigning  to  this 
force  a  full  complement  of  disbursing  and  medical  officers,  an  officer 
of  ordnance  and  an  Assistant   Adjutant  General,  if   the  latter  be 
required. 

He  will  relieve  Captains  Phelps'  4th  artillery  and  Hawes'  2d 
dragoons  from  special  duty,  and  order  them  to  join  their  companies. 
He  will  also  give  the  necessary  orders  for  the  movement  of  any  availa- 
ble officers,  whose  services  may  be  desired  by  the  Quartermaster  Gene- 
ral or  Commissary  General  in  making  purchases.  Lieutenant  Col. 
Taylor  and  Brevet  Major  Waggaman  will  be  ordered  to  exchange 
stations. 

All  available  recruits  are  to  be  assigned  to  the  above  named  regi- 
ments up  to  the  time  of  departure. 

3.  About  2,000  head  of  beef  cattle  must  be  procured  and  driven  to 
Utah. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION  5 

Six  months'  supply  of  bacon  (for  two  days  in  the  week)  must  be 
sent — desiccated  vegetables  in  sufficient  quantity  to  guard  the  health 
of  the  troops  for  the  coming  winter. 

4.  Arrangements  will  be  made  for  the  concentration  and  temporary 
halt  of  the  5th  infantry  at  Jefferson  Barracks. 

The  squadron  of  dragoons  at  Fort  Randall  taking  their  horse 
equipments  with  them  will  leave  their  horses  at  that  post,  and  a  re- 
mount must  be  provided  for  them  at  Fort  Leavenworth.  Also,  horses 
must  be  sent  out  to  the  squadron  at  Fort  Kearny,  and  the  whole 
regiment,  as  also  Phelps'  battery,  brought  to  the  highest  point  of 
efficiency. 

Besides  the  necessary  trains  and  supplies,  the  quartermaster's  de- 
partment will  procure  for  the  expedition  250  tents  of  Sibley's  pattern, 
to  provide  for  the  case  that  the  troops  shall  not  be  able  to  hut  them- 
selves the  ensuing  winter.  Storage  tents  are  needed  for  the  like 
reason.  Stoves  enough  to  provide,,  at  least,  for  the  sick,  must  accom- 
pany the  tents. 

5.  The  Surgeon  General  will  cause  the  necessary  medical  supplies  to 
be  provided,  and  requisition  made  for  the  means  of  transporting  them 
with  the  expedition. 

6.  The  chief  of  ordnance  will  take  measures  immediately  to   put 
in  position  for  the  use  of  this  force,  three  travelling  forges  and  a  full 
supply  of  ammunition,  and  will  make  requisition  for  the  necessary 
transportation  of  the  same. 

WINFIELD  SCOTT. 


[Quadruplicate  for  the  information  of  the  Adjutant  General.] 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

New  York,  June  29,  1857. 

The  5th  infantry  is  ordered  to  proceed  immediately  to  join  you 
from  Jefferson  barracks.  As  soon  as  it,  and  the  body  of  the  10th 
arrive,  proceed  to  your  destination  without  unnecessary  delay. 

A  letter  of  instructions  to  you  goes  by  to-day's  mail,  and  the  general 
order  for  the  movement  will  follow  immediately. 
By  command  of  Brevet  Lieutenant  General  Scott. 

IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Brevet  Brigadier  General  W.  S.  HARNEY, 
Commanding,  dec.,  at  Fort  Leavenworth. 

(To  be  sent  to   western  Missouri.) 

A  duplicate  to  be  sent  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  to  the  care  of  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  Grossman,  deputy  quartermaster  general. 
Triplicate  by  mail. 


6  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

[Triplicate  for  the  information  of  the  Adjutant  General.  J 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

New  York,  June  29,  1857. 

The  5th  infantry  will  proceed  without  delay  to  Fort  Leaven  worth. 
See  that  the  telegraphs  of  to-day  to  General  Harney  and  to  the  com- 
mander of  the  5th  infantry,  sent  to  your  care,  are  immediately  sent  to 
them. 

By  command  of  Brevet  Lieutenant  General  Scott. 

IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  G.  H.  GROSSMAN, 

Deputy  Quartermaster  General,  U.  S.  A.,  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 
Duplicate  by  mail. 


[Triplicate  for  the  information  of  the  Adjutant  General  ] 

HEADQUARTERS  OP  THE  ARMY, 

New  York,  June  29,  1857. 

Proceed  with  the  5th  infantry  without  delay  to  Fort  Leavenworth. 
By  command  of  Brevet  Lieutenant  General  Scott. 

IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
The  COMMANDER  OF  THE  5TH  INFANTRY, 

Jefferson  Barracks,  care  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  G.  H  Grossman, 

Deputy  Quartermaster  General,  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 
Duplicate  hy  mail. 


HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

New  York,  June  29,  1857. 

SIR  :  By  direction  of  the  general-in-chief  the  following  postscript 
was  added  to  the  letter  of  instructions  this  day  despatched  to  Brigadier 
General  Harney,  and  is  respectfully  communicated  for  the  information 
of  the  War  Department. 

P.  S.  "  The  general-in-chief  (in  my  letter  of  the  26th  instant)  has 
already  conveyed  to  you  as  a  suggestion,  not  an  order  nor  even  a 
recommendation,  that  it  might  be  well  to  send  forward  in  advance  a 
part  of  your  horse  to  Fort  Laramie,  there  to  halt  and  he  recruited  in 
strength  by  rest  and  by  grain  before  the  main  body  comes  up. 
"  Respectfully, 

"G.  W.  LAY, 
"Lieutenant  Colonel,  A.  D.  C." 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  W.  LAY. 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  A.  D.  C. 
Colonel  S.  COOPER, 
Adjutant  General. 


UTAH    EXPEDITION. 


HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

New  York,  June  29,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  letter  which  I  addressed  to  you  in  the  name  of  the 
general-in- chief,  on  the  28th  ultimo;  his  circular  to  the  chiefs  of  staff 
departments,  same  date  ;  his  general  orders  No.  8,  current  series,  and 
another  now  in  press,  have  indicated  your  assignment  to  the  com- 
mand of  an  expedition  to  Utah  Territory,  and  the  preparatory 
measures  to  be  taken. 

The  general-in-chief  desires  me  to  add  in  his  name  the  following 
instructions,  prepared  in  concert  with  the  War  Department,  and 
sanctioned  by  its  authority,  whenever  required. 

The  community  and,  in  part,  the  civil  government  of  Utah  Terri- 
tory are  in  a  state  of  substantial  rebellion  against  the  laws  and 
authority  of  the  United  States.  A  new  civil  governor  is  about  to  be 
designated,  and  to  be  charged  with  the  establishment  and  maintenance 
of  law  and  order.  Your  able  and  energetic  aid,  with  that  of  the  troops 
to  be  placed  under  your  command,  is  relied  to  insure  the  success  of 
his  mission. 

The  principles  by  which  you  should  be  guided  have  been  already 
indicated  in  a  somewhat  similar  case,  and  are  here  substantially  re- 
peated. 

If  the  governor  of  the  Territory,  finding  the  ordinary  course  of 
judicial  proceedings  of  the  power  vested  in  the  United  States'  mar- 
shals and  other  proper  officers  inadequate  for  the  preservation  of  the 
public  peace  and  the  due  execution  of  the  laws,  should  make  requisi- 
tion upon  you  for  a  military  force  to  aid  him  as  a  posse  comitatus  in 
the  performance  of  that  official  duty,  you  are  hereby  directed  to  employ 
for  that  purpose  the  whole  or  such  part  of  your  command  as  may  be 
required ;  or  should  the  governor,  the  judges,  or  marshals  of  the  Ter- 
ritory find  it  necessary  directly  to  summon  a  part  of  your  troops,  to 
aid  either  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  you  will  take  care  that  the 
summons  be  promptly  obeyed.  And  in  no  case  will  you,  your  officers 
or  men,  attack  any  body  of  citizens  whatever,  except  on  such  requisi- 
tion or  summons,  or  in  sheer  self-defence, 

In  executing  this  delicate  function  of  the  military  power  of  the 
United  States  the  civil  responsibility  will  be  upon  the  governor,  the 
judges  and  marshals  of  the  Territory.  While  you  are  not  to  be,  and 
cannot  be  subjected  to  the  orders,  strictly  speaking,  of  the  governor, 
you  will  be  responsible  for  a  jealous,  harmonious  and  thorough  co- 
operation with  him,  or  frequent  and  full  consultation,  and  will  con- 
form your  action  to  his  requests  and  views  in  all  cases  where  your 
military  judgment  and  prudence  do  not  forbid,  nor  compel  you  to 
modify,  in  execution,  the  movements  he  may  suggest.  No  doubt  is 
entertained  that  your  conduct  will  fully  meet  the  moral  and  pro- 
fessional responsibilities  of  your  trust,  and  justify  the  high  confidence 
already  reposed  in  you  by  the  government. 

The  lateness  of  the  season,  the  dispersed  condition  of  the  troops, 
and  the  smallness  of  the  numbers  available,  ha've  seemed  to  present 
elements  of  difficulty,  if  not  hazard,  in  this  expedition.  But  it  is 
believed  that  these  may  be  compensated  by  unusual  care  in  its  outfit, 


8  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

and  great  prudence  in  its  conduct.  All  disposable  recruits  have  been 
reserved  for  it. 

So  well  is  the  nature  of  this  service  appreciated,  and  so  deeply  are 
the  honor  and  interests  of  the  United  States  involved  in  its  success, 
that  I  am  authorized  to  say  the  government  will  hesitate  at  no  expense 
requisite  to  complete  the  efficiency  of  your  little  army,  and  to  insure 
health  and  comfort  to  it,  as  far  as  attainable.  Hence,  in  addition  to 
the  liberal  orders  for  its  supply  heretofore  given — and  it  is  known 
that  ample  measures,  with  every  confidence  of  success,  have  been 
dictated  by  the  chiefs  of  staff  departments  here — a  large  discretion 
will  be  made  over  to  you  in  the  general  orders  for  the  movement. 
The  employment  of  spies,  guides,  interpreters  or  laborers  may  be 
made  to  any  reasonable  extent  you  may  think  desirable. 

The  prudence  expected  of  you  requires  that  you  should  anticipate 
resistance,  general,  organized  and  formidable,  at  the  threshold,  and 
shape  your  movements  as  if  they  were  certain,  keeping  the  troops  well 
massed  and  in  hand  when  approaching  expected  resistance.  Your 
army  will  be  equipped,  for  a  time,  at  least,  as  a  self  sustaining 
machine.  Detachments  will,  therefore,  not  be  lightly  hazarded,  and 
you  are  warned  not  to  be  betrayed  into  premature  security  or  over 
confidence. 

A  small  but  sufficient  force  must,  however,  move  separately  from  the 
main  column,  guarding  the  beef  cattle  and  such  other  supplies  as  you 
may  think  would  too  much  encumber  the  march  of  the  main  body. 
The  cattle  may  require  to  be  marched  more  slowly  than  the  troops,  so 
as  to  arrive  in  Salt  Lake  valley  in  good  condition,  or  they  may  not 
survive  the  inclemency  and  scanty  sustenance  of  the  winter.  This 
detachment,  though  afterwards  to  become  the  rear  guard,  may,  it  is 
hoped,  be  put  in  route  before  the  main  body,  to  gain  as  much  time  as 
possible  before  the  latter  passes  it 

The  general -in-chief  suggests  that  feeble  animals,  of  draught  and 
cavalry,  should  be  left  ten  or  twelve  days  behind  the  main  column,  at 
Fort  Laramie,  to  recruit  and  follow. 

It  should  be  a  primary  object  on  arriving  in  the  valley,  if  the  con- 
dition of  things  permit,  to  procure  not  only  fuel,  but  materials  for 
hutting  the  troops.  Should  it  be  too  late  for  the  latter  purpose,  or 
should  such  employment  of  the  troops  be  unsafe  or  impracticable,  the 
tents  (of  Sibley's  paltern)  furnished  will,  it  is  hoped,  afford  a  suffi- 
cient shelter. 

It  is  not  doubted  that  a  surplus  of  provisions  and  forage,  beyond 
the  wants  of  the  resident  population,  will  be  found  in  the  valley  of 
Utah  ;  and  that  the  inhabitants,  if  assured  by  energy  and  justice,  will 
be  ready  to  sell  them  to  the  troops.  Hence  no  instructions  are  given 
you  for  the  extreme  event  of  the  troops  being  in  absolute  need  of  such 
supplies  and  their  being  withheld  by  the  inhabitants.  The  necessi- 
ties of  such  an  occasion  would  furnish  the  law  for  your  guidance. 

Besides  the  stated  reports  required  by  regulations,  special  reports 
will  be  expected  from  you,  at  the  headquarters  of  the  army,  as  oppor- 
tunity may  offer 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  9 

The  general-in-chief  desires  to  express  his  best  wishes,  official  and 
personal,  for  your  complete  success  and  added  reputation. 

I  have  the  honor  to  he,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant. 

GEOKGE  W.  LAY, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Aid-de-Camp. 
Brevet  Brigadier  General  W.  S.  HARNEY, 

Commanding,  <&c.,  Fort  Levenwortli,  K.  T. 

P.  S. — The  general-in-chief  (in  my  letter  of  the  26th  instant)  has 
already  conveyed  to  you  a  suggestion — not  an  order,  r,or  even  a  recom- 
mendation— that  it  might  be  well  to  send  forward  in  advance  a  part  of 
your  horse  to  Fort  Laramie,  there  to  halt  and  be  recruited  in  strength, 
by  rest  and  by  grain,  before  the  main  body  comes  up. 
Kespectfullv, 

G.  W.  L., 
Lt.  Col.,  Aid-de-Camp. 


[By  telegraph.  1 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

New  York,  July  1,  1857. 

General  orders  issued  yesterday  embrace  the  following  paragraphs  : 

"  4.  The  armament  and  equipment  deemed  most  suitable  for   the 

service  of  the  battery  of  artillery  will  be  selected,    and,  if  necessary, 

extended  in  guns  and  horses  by  the   commander  of  the  expedition, 

consulting  with  Captain  Phelps. 

"5.  In  addition  to  instructions  already  given,  it  is  further  directed 
that  all  requisitions  which  the  commander  of  the  expedition  for  Utah 
may,   in   his   discretion,  address  to  the  departments  of  supply,  be 
promptly  complied  with,  without  reference  to  higher  authority." 
Kespectfully, 

L.  THOMAS, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Brigadier  General  HARNEY, 

Fort  Leavenworth,  K.  T. 

HEADQUARTERS  or  THE  ARMY, 

New  York,  July  1,  1857. 

Copy  respectfully  furnished  to  the  adjutant  general,  for  the  infor- 
mation of  the  War  Department. 
By  order: 


Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


10  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


[By  telegraph.] 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
West  Point,  N.  Y.,  July  14,  1857. 

Your  letter  of  July  3  is  received.  I  have  made  the  calculations  and 
expect  your  rear  guard  to  be  in  full  inarch  by  this  day  week.  Captain 
Neil  will  overtake  you  with  forty  well  instructed  recruits  for  the  bat- 
tery. Order  headquarters  and  band  to  Fort  Leavenworth. 

WINFIELD  SCOTT. 
Brigadier  General  HARNEY, 

Fort  Leavenworth,  K.  T. 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
West  Point,  N.  Y.,  July  14,  1857. 

Official  copy  respectfully  furnished  for  the  information  of  the  Adju- 
tant General. 

IRWIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General 


HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
West  Point,  New  York,  July  22,  1857. 

COLONEL:  The  instructions  of  the  War  Department  of  the  14th  in- 
stant to  Brevet  Brigadier  General  Harney,  placing  Forts  Laramie 
and  Kearney  under  his  orders  as  indispensable  to  the  success  of  the 
movements  to  Utah,  and  keeping  there  the  two  companies  of  the  6th 
infantry,  conflicts  with  general  orders  No.  11,  ordering  these  compa- 
nies to  be  relieved  by  the  two  companies  of  the  7th  from  Fort  Smith, 
and  ordering  Fort  Kearney  to  be  abandoned. 

At  the  close  of  the  season  the  1st  cavalry  and  four  companies  of  the 
6th  infantry  will  come  in  from  the  plains,  and  will,  with  the  com- 
pany of  the  6th,  now  at  Fort  Riley,  make  fifteen  companies  for  the 
garrison  of  the  posts  of  Forts  Riley  and  Leavenworth,  without  count- 
ing the  2d  dragoons  and  Phelps'  battery,  and  should  the  latter  not 
go  to  Utah  this  year  there  will  be  twenty- six  companies. 

The  general-in-chief  directs  me  to  make  this  statement  and  inquire 
what  shall  be  done  with  the  companies  of  the  7th  before  mentioned. 
If  the  movement  of  the  companies  of  the  6th  from  Forts  Laramie  and 
Kearney  to  Jefferson  barracks  is  to  remain  suspended,  as  would  seem 
to  be  the  case  from  the  telegraphic  orders  which  place  them  under  the 
commander  of  the  Utah  expedition,  the  companies  of  the  7th  will  not 
be  needed  on  the  Platte. 

Shall  they  be  ordered  back  to  their  former  station  ? 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Ajutant  General. 
Colonel  SAMUEL  COOPER, 

Adjutant  General,  U.  S.  A.,  Washington,  D.  C. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  11 


HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
West  Point,  New  York,  July  23,  1857. 

COLONEL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  trip- 
licate of  your  telegraph  of  the  21st,  to  General  Harney,  furnished  for 
the  information  of  the  general-in-chief,  and  am  directed  by  the  latter 
to  say  that  the  second  paragraph  gives  him  no  information,  as  General 
Harney 's  suggestion — to  which  it  is  a  response — was  not  made  through 
him,  nor  was  any  copy  of  it  furnished  him  by  the  writer. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

IRYIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Colonel  S.  COOPER, 

Adjutant  General,  Washington,  D.  G. 


[Duplicate  by  mail— general-in-chief,  triplicate.] 

ADJUTANT  GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 

July  21,  1857. 

The  light  battery  at  Fort  Snelling  has  been  ordered  to  take  post  at 
?ort  Leavenworth. 

You  are  authorized  to  send  a  discreet  staff  officer  to  Salt  Lake  City 
n  advance  of  the  troops,  for  the  purposes  suggested  by  you. 

SAM'L  COOPER, 

Adjutant  General. 
Brig.  General  W.  S.  HARNEY,  U.  S.  A., 

Care  of  Captain  Pleasonton,  U.  S.  A., 

Planters'  House,  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 


[Duplicate,  for  the  information  of  the  Adjutant  General.] 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
West  Point,  N.  T.,  July  25,  1857. 

GENERAL  :  The  general-in-chief  has,  in  paragraph  III,  special  orders 
o.  92,  of  this  date,  made  the  transfer  of  private  Adam  Torden,  or- 

[ered  in  your  special  order  No.  26,  of  the  10th  instant,  and  he  instructs 
me  to  call  your  attention  to  paragraph  141  of  the  regulations,  and  to 

iesire  that  you  will  please  conform  thereto  in  future  cases. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  W.  S.  HARNEY, 

Commanding,  &c.,  Fort  Leavemvorth,  K.  T. 


12 


UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


[Triplicate,  for  the  information  of  the  Adjutant  General. — Per  Telegraph.] 


HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
West  Point,  N.  Y.,  July  30,  1857. 

Telegraphic  orders  have  been  this  day  sent  to  Minnesota  for  the  two 
companies  of  tenth  infantry  to  proceed  without  delay  to  Fort  Leaven- 
worth,  and  to  follow  their  regiment. 

By  order:  IBVIN  McDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  W.  S.  HARNEY, 

Commanding ',  &c.,  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 

Duplicate  sent  by  mail. 


[Triplicate,  for  the  information  of  the  Adjutant  General. — Per  Telegraph.] 

HEAD  QUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
West  Point,  N.  Y.,  July  30,  1857. 

The  general-in- chief  directs  the  two  companies  of  the  tenth  infantry 

to  proceed  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  without  delay,  and  to  follow  their 

regiment.     Communicate  this  order  immediately  to  both  companies, 

wherever  they  may  be,  if  not  already  en  route  for  Fort  Leavenworth. 

By  order:  IRV1N  McDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
The  COMMANDING  OFFICER, 

Fort  Snelling,  Minnesota,  (by  Dubuque,  Iowa.) 

Duplicate  by  mail.     Copy  to  General  Harney. 


HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
West  Point,  N.  Y.,  August  19;  1857. 

SIR:  In  forwarding  yesterday  the  communication  of  General  Har- 
ney, respecting  the  loss  of  a  large  number  of  beef  cattle  for  the  Utah 
expedition,  on  which  paper  I  endorsed  my  remarks,  I  omitted  to  refer 
you  to  my  instructions,  issued  June  29th  to  the  commander  of  that 
expedition. 

I  now  beg  your  attention  to  the  extract  given  below,  from  my  letter 
of  that  date  to  General  Harney,  from  which  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
loss  in  question  resulted  from  a  neglect  of  my  orders  in  the  case. 

[Extract.] 

A  small  huts  ufficient  force  must,  however,  move  separately  form 
the  main  column,  guarding  the  beef  cattle  and  such  other  supplies  as 
you  may  think  would  £00  much  encumber  the  march  of  the  main  body. 
The  cattle  may  require  to  be  marched  more  slowly  than  the  troops,  so 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  13 

as  to  arrive  in  Salt  Lake  valley  in  good  condition,  or  they  may  not 
survive  the  inclemency  and  scanty  sustenance  of  the  winter. 

This  detachment,  though  afterwards  to  become  the  rear  guard,  may, 
it  is  hoped,  he  put  en  route  before  the  main  body,  to  gain  as  much 
time  as  possible  before  the  latter  passes  it. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  high  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

WINFIELD  SCOTT. 
Hon.  J.  B.  FLOYD, 

Secretary  of  War. 


WASHINGTON,  August  28,  1857. 

COLONEL  :  In  anticipation  of  the  orders  to  be  issued  placing  you  in 
command  of  the  Utah  expedition,  the  general-in-chief  directs  you  to 
repair,  without  delay,  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  and  apply  to  Brevet 
Brigadier  General  Harney  for  all  the  orders  and  instructions  he  has 
received  as  commander  of  that  expedition,  which  you  will  consider  ad- 
dressed to  yourself,  and  by  which  you  will  be  governed  accordingly. 
You  will  make  your  arrangements  to  set  out  from  Fort  Leavenworth 
at  as  early  a  day  as  practicable.  Six  companies  of  the  2d  dragoons 
will  be  detached  by  General  Harney  to  escort  you  and  the  civil  au- 
thorities to  Utah,  to  remain  as  part  of  your  command  instead  of  the 
companies  of  the  1st  cavalry,  as  heretofore  ordered.  Brevet  Major  T. 
J.  Porter,  assistant  adjutant  general,  will  be  ordered  to  report  to  you 
for  duty  before  you  leave  Fort  Leavenworth. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  colonel,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obe- 
dient servant, 

IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Col.  ALBERT  S.  JOHNSTON, 

2d  Cavalry,  Washington,  D.  G. 


WASHINGTON,  August  29,  1857. 

GENERAL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  herewith  a  copy  of  the  in- 
structions of  yesterday  to  Colonel  Albert  S.  Johnston,  2d  cavalry. 
The  general-in- chief  directs  you  govern  yourself  accordingly,  and 
afford  Colonel  Johnston  every  facility,  and  all  the  aid  in  your  power 
in  the  execution  of  the  duty  with  which  he  is  charged. 

As  the  troops  under  Colonel  Suraner,  those  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
J.  E.  Johnston,  1st  cavalry,  and  those  with  Captain  Francis  J.  Bryan, 
topographical  engineers,  will  soon  be  coming  in  from  the  plains,  it  is 
desirable  to  know  at  what  points  in  Kansas  they  will  be  required,  and 
you  are  requested  by  the  general  to  report  what  disposition  you  judge 
should  be  made  of  them. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient 
servant,  1RVIN  McDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  WM.  S.  HARNEY, 

Colonel  second  dragoons,  commanding  troops 

in  Kansas,  Fort  Leavenworth,  K.  T. 


14  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

[Duplicate. — Original  sent  by  telegraph.] 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
New  York,  November  16 ,  1857. 

Important  despatches  received  this  morning  from  Colonel  Johnston. 

Brigharn  Young  has  issued  his  proclamation  declaring  war  upon 
the  United  States  forces,  and  placing  Utah  under  martial  law. 

Report  of  Mormons  having  burned  three  trains  continued. 

Mormons  were  at  Fort  Bridger ;  Colonel  Alexander,  with  the  5th 
and  10th  infantry,  and  Phelps'  and  Reno's  batteries  at  Ham's  fork. 

Colonel  Johnston  seventy-eight  miles  from  South  Pass.  He  will 
wait,  with  Colonel  C.  F.  Smith,  at  Pacific  Spring,  till  the  arrival  of 
Lieutenant  Smith  with  two  hundred  men  escorting  remaining  supply 
trains,  and  will  then  push  on  with  them  to  join  the  army. 

Colonel  Alexander  ordered  by  Brigham  Young  to  evacuate  Utah 
forthwith,  but  is  informed  he  may  remain  where  he  is  if  he  will  sur- 
render his  arms  and  promise  to  retire  next  spring  !  Colonel  Alex- 
ander reports  his  intention  to  go  up  Bear  river  to  Soda  spring. 

The  despatches  go  forward  by  to-day's  mail. 

IRYIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Colonel  S.  COOPER, 

Adjutant  General,  Washington,  D.  C. 


[Duplicate. — Original  sent  by  telegraph.] 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

New  York,  December  10,  1857. 

Despatches  received  this  morning  from  Colonel  Johnston,  dated  at 
South  Pass,  October  eighteenth.  Expects  soon  to  join  Colonel  Alex- 
ander at  Fontenelle  creek,  and  then  move  down  to  Henry's  fork  for 
the  winter.  All  well,  but  losing  animals  from  the  weather,  which 
was  clear  and  cold.  Colonel  Alexander  lost  some  animals  by  Mor- 
mons. No  blood  shed.  Despatches  by  mail  to  night. 

IRYIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Colonel  SAMUEL  COOPER, 

Adjutant  General,  Washington,  D.  C. 


HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

Washington,  January  23,  1858. 

SIR:  The  gen eral-in- chief  has  received  from  Colonel  Johnston, 
commanding  the  army  of  Utah,  a  copy  of  that  officer's  letter  to  you  of 
November  25,  1857.  The  request  therein  conveyed  to  you  for  aid  and 
support  to  Captain  Marcy,  in  carrying  out  the  purposes  of  his  expedi- 
tion, is  approved,  and  you  are  desired  to  lend  the  assistance  asked  for, 
as  far  as  within  your  power. 

The  general-in-chief  directs  that  you  furnish,  from  the  regiment 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  15 

of  mounted  riflemen,  as  a  return  escort  for  Captain  Marcy,  four  com- 
panies, if  so  large  a  force  be  desired  and  can  be  afforded. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  W.  LAY, 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  A.  D.  C. 
Bvt.  Brig.  Gen'l  JNO.  GARLAND, 

Commanding  Department  of  New  Mexico. 


HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

New  York,  February  5,  1858. 

Official  copy  for  information  of  the  Adjutant  General. 

IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


HEADQUARTERS  OP  THE  ARMY, 
Washington,  January  23,  1858. 

SIR  :  The  general-in-chief  directs  me  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
your  despatches,  with  copies  of  orders,  &c.,  to  November  30,  185*7, 
inclusive  ;  and  to  add  in  his  name  as  follows  : 

Your  conduct  in  command,  as  set  forth  in  the  reports,  meets  with 
full  and  hearty  approval,  united  with  sympathy  for  those  difficulties 
which  you  have  so  manfully  conquered,  and  which,  it  is  clearly  per- 
ceived, no  act  or  omission  of  yours  had  any  part  in  creating. 

The  general-in-chief  desires  likewise  to  tender,  through  you,  to  the 
officers  and  men  of  your  expedition  the  expression  of  his  high  appre- 
ciation of  the  noble  energy,  patience  and  spirit  which  they  have  dis- 
played. The  achievement  of  Colonel  Cooke  in  bringing  up  his  regi- 
ment to  join  you,,  in  such  comparatively  good  condition,  at  so  late  a  sea- 
son, appears  specially  worthy  of  commendation. 

In  this  tribute  to  yourself  and  to  the  troops  the  War  Department 
cordially  concurs. 

.  The  adjutant  general  will  communicate  to  you  the  formal  approval, 
by  the  War  Department,  of  your  orders  to  Captain  Marcy,  for  pur- 
chase of  animals,  &c.,  and  also  of  your  mustering  volunteers  into  the 
service. 

General  Garland  will  be  instructed  to  afford  the  aid  and  support 
asked  for  in  your  letter  to  him  of  November  25,  1857,  including  a 
return  escort  for  Captain  Marcy 's  expedition.  He  will  be  directed  to 
furnish,  from  the  regiment  of  mounted  riflemen,  for  this  purpose,  a 
force  not  exceeding  four  companies. 

Ample  measures  are  in  progress  for  your  reinforcement  at  the 
earliest  possible  period  of  the  spring. 

The  general-in-chief  himself  will  set  sail  for  the  Pacific  coast  in 
the  steamer  of  the  5th  proximo,  clothed  with  full  powers  for  an  effec- 
tive diversion  or  co-operation  in  your  favor  from  that  quarter.  It  is 


16  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

not  desired,  however,  that  this  information  shall  modify  the  instructions 
heretofore  given  you  in  any  degree,  or  delay  your  movements. 
I  anx,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  W.  LAY, 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  A.  D.  C. 
Colonel  A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 

2d  Cavalry }  Commanding  Army  of  Utah. 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 

New  York,  February  5,  1858. 
Official  copy  for  information  of  the  Adjutant  General. 

IBVIN  MCDOWELL,  A.  A.  G. 


HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
Washington,  February  4,  1858. 

SIR  :  I  am  desired  by  the  general-in-chief  to  inform  you  that  it  is 
no  longer  probable  that  he  will  go  to  the  Pacific  coast,  or  that  any 
expedition  against  or  towards  Utah  will  be  despatched  from   that 
quarter. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  W.  LAY, 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  A.  D.  C. 
Colonel  A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 

Commanding  department  of  Utah. 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
New  York,  February  5,  1858. 

Official  copy  for  the  information  of  the  Adjutant  General. 

IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


ADJUTANT  GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 

Washington,  September  26,  1857. 

SIR:  By  "  special  order "  No.  132,  of  September  11,  1857,  from 
this  office,  Brevet  Captain  Jesse  L.  Reno.,  first  lieutenant  Ordnance 
Department,  attached  to  the  Utah  expedition,  was  assigned  to  duty 
with  that  command,  according  to  his  brevet  rank. 

The  subject  having  been  again  called  up  by  the  receipt  of  several 
applications  for  assignment,  according  to  brevet  rank,  the  Secretary  of 
War,  to  prevent  misapprehension,  instructs  me  to  say  that  the  special 
assignment  of  Brevet  Captain  Reno,  Ordnance  Department,  in  the 
order  above  cited,  was  intended  to  enable  him  to  exercise  command 
over  the  detachment  immediately  under  his  charge,  while  conducting 
the  same  to  Utah. 

On  Captain  Reno's  turning  over  the  recruits  to  Phelps'  light  artil- 
lery company,  in  accordance  with  General  Harney's  "special  orders" 
No.  5,  of  July  19,   the  assignment  to  duty  according  to  his  brevet  ! 
rank  will  cease. 


\ 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  17 

It  is  presumed  that,  should  it  be  necessary  to  equip  another  battery 
of  artillery  for  service  with  the  troops  under  your  orders,  the  command 
thereof  will  be  given  to  an  officer  of  artillery. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient,  servant, 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Colonel  A.  S.  JOHNSTON,  U.  S.  A., 

Commanding  Utah  Expedition,  Salt  Lake  City,  U.  T. 


ADJUTANT  GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 
Washington,  January  14,  1858. 

SIR  :  The  Secretary  of  War  desires  that  you  will  transmit  direct  to 
this  office  copies  of  any  despatches  of  more  than  ordinary  importance 
you  may,  from  time  to  time,  forward  through  the  headquarters  of  the 
army. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  COOPER,  Adjutant  General 
Colonel  A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 

First  Cavalry,  Commanding  Department  of  Utah. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  FOR  UTAH, 

Fort  Leavenworth,  August  8,  1857. 

COLONEL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  a  copy  of  a  communication 
from  Lieutenant  Marshall,  6th  infantry,  reporting  the  loss  of  824 
head  of  cattle,  en  route  for  Utah,  for  the  use  of  the  army.  This 
mischief  was  done  by  the  Cheyenne  Indians,  and  is  but  the  commence- 
ment of  a  series  of  disasters  which  will  take  place  upon  that  route,  if 
a  suitable  cavalry  force  is  not  placed  at  both  Forts  Kearny  and 
Laramie. 

Infantry  is  useless  against  mounted  Indians.  I  shall  retain  the 
two  companies  of  the  2d  dragoons  at  Fort  Laramie,  and  have  to 
request  the  general-in-chief  will  cause  the  two  companies  of  the  1st 
cavalry ,  ordered  to  this  post  under  Colonel  Sumner,  to  be  stopped  at 
Fort  Kearny,  to  furnish  escorts  from  that  place,  as  I  have  no  disposa- 
ble mounted  force  at  my  command  for  this  service. 

I  am,  colonel,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

WM.  S.  HARNEY, 

Col.  2d  Dragoons,  and  Brevet  Brig.  Gen'l,  Commanding. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  L.  THOMAS, 

Ass't  Adj't  Gen.,  Headq'softhe  Army,  West  Point,  N.  Y. 


HEADQUARTERS,  FORT  KEARNY,  N.  T., 

August  2,  1857. 

SIR  :    I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  two  herds  of  beef  cattle,  destined 
for  Salt  Lake,  for  beef  for  the  Utah  expedition,  passed  this  post  yester- 
day.    The  whole  number  of  men,  all  told,  was  nineteen.     When  they 
H.  Ex.  Doc.  71 2 


18  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

arrived  to-day  about  28  miles  west  of  this  garrison,  they  were  attacked 
by  a  party  of  about  150  Cheyenne  Indians,  who  run  off  all  the  cattle, 
(824)  and  horses,  and  mules,  (20  in  number,)  excepting  two,  which 
the  drovers  succeeded  in  escaping  with.  The  attack  was  made  about 
11  o'clock  this  morning,  and  the  whites  lost  one  man,  who  was  killed  on 
the  ground,  and  one  who  was  badly  wounded  in  the  thigh,  with  a  frac- 
ture of  the  bone,  who  is  now  under  charge  of  the  surgeon  of  the  post. 
The  whites  arrived  here  about  nine  o'clock  this  evening  in  a  very  des- 
titute condition,  having  lost  everything  but  the  clothing  they  hap- 
pened to  have  on,  and  their  arms.  I  shall  send  a  party  to-morrow  with 
the  drovers  to  bury  the  man  who  was  killed,  and  also  to  try  to  find  some 
of  the  cattle.  But  the  men  report  that  they  believe  they  will  not  be 
able  to  find  any  of  them,  as  the  last  they  saw  of  the  cattle  they  were 
being  driven  off  by  the  Indians,  who  were  all  the  time  shooting  them 
with  arrows,  and  lancing  them  with  their  spears. 

The  whites  report  that,  without  doubt,  they  must  have  killed  at  least 
two  Indians,  and  wounded  some  four  or  five  others. 

Allow  me  again  to  state  that  an  infantry  post  in  this  country  is 
entirely  useless  ;    that  depredations  are  continually  prepetrated  by 
hostile  Indians  near  this  garrison,  without  ever  being  able  to  even 
assist  those  who  are  so  unfortunate  as  to  be  attacked  by  them. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  G.  MARSHALL, 
1st.  Lieut.  Qth  Infantry,  Commanding. 

Colonel  S.  COOPER, 
Adjutant  General  U.  S.  A.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

A  true  copy. 

E.  G.  MARSHALL, 
1st.  Lieut.  6th  Infantry,  Commanding. 

ASSISTANT  ADJUTANT  GENERAL  of  Utah  Expedition. 


(Circular.) 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  FOR  UTAH, 

Fort  Leavenworth,  August  8,   1857. 

The  commanders  of  the  different  corps  of  this  army  will  give  such 
protection  as  may  be  necessary  to  the  supply  trains  on  route  to  Utah, 
without  permitting  these  instructions  to  interfere  with  the  order  of 
march. 

By  order  of  General  Harney. 

A.    PLEASANTON, 
Captain  2d  Dragoons,  A.  A.  Adjutant  General. 


HEADQUARTERS  TENTH  INFANTRY, 
Camp  near  Fort  Kearny,  August  10,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  a  field  return  of  the 
battalion  under  my  command.     I  have  been  obliged  to  rule  it,  as  no 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  19 

printed  blanks  of  the  prescribed  form  have  been  received.  The  march 
from  Fort  Leavenworth  here  occupied  nineteen  days,  giving  an  aver- 
age of  fifteen  and  a  half  miles  per  day.  The  men  are  in  good  health 
and  condition,  and  have  surprised  me  by  the  endurance  they  exhibited 
from  the  commencement.  Though  raw  recruits  when  we  left  Fort 
Leavenworth,  I  consider  them  now  fit  for  any  kind  of  service,  and  have 
no  doubt  they  would  do  credit  to  themselves  and  the  army.  I  would 
respectfully  suggest  the  propriety  of  ordering  the  officers  detached 
from  the  regiment  to  join  their  companies  as  soon  as  practicable. 

If  the  regiment  is  to  serve  long  in  Utah,  it  is  very  desirable  to  have 
all  the  officers  with  it. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 
Colonel  Tenth  Infantry,  Commanding 

Colonel  S.  COOPER, 

Adjutant  General  U.  S.  A. 


HEADQUARTERS  TENTH  REGIMENT  OF  INFANTRY, 
Camp  near  Fort  Laramie,  N.  T.,  September  3,  1857". 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  a  field  return  of  my 
command  for  the  month  of  August.  As  this  is  the  last  place  from 
which  I  can  depend  upon  a  communication,  I  respectfully  submit  the 
following  remarks  upon  the  march  of  the  eight  companies  of  the  tenth 
infantry  under  my  command  from  Fort  Leavenworth  to  this  place,  a 
distance  of  625  miles.  The  battalion  marched  from  Forth  Leaven- 
worth, July  18,  and  being  composed  mainly  of  recruits,  the  length 
of  the  march  for  the  first  four  or  five  days  was  inconsiderable,  not  ex- 
ceeding ten  or  twelve  miles.  The  men,  however,  became  accustomed 
to  marching  very  soon,  and  unless  the  heat  was  powerful,  very  few 
fell  out.  The  inarch  across  the  prairie  country  from  Fort  Leaven- 
worth to  the  Platte  river  was  made  within  the  time  allowed  by  General 
Harney's  orders,  and  was,  perhaps,  the  most  exempt  from  loss  and 
accident  ever  known. 

With  a  train  of  ninety-seven  wagons,  and  over  six  hundred  animals, 
but  five  mules  have  been  lost,  one  by  straying  and  four  by  death,  and 
not  a  wagon  has  been  broken.  The  journey  along  the  Platte  was 
one  of  great  ease,  as  the  road  is  good,  and  grass  abundant  nearly 
everywhere,  and  men  and  animals  improved  in  health  and  strength 
remarkably. 

The  sick  report  has  never  exceeded  twenty,  and  has  averaged  twelve. 
This  in  a  command  of  500  is  very  small.  No  serious  sickness  has 
prevailed,  though  four  cases  of  bilious  fever,  produced  by  great  alter- 
nations of  temperature  and  miasma  of  the  Platte  bottom,  have  occurred, 
which  the  assistant  surgeon  has  recommended  to  be  left  at  this  post. 
Colonel  Hoffman  having  kindly  consented,  I  have  determined  to  leave 
them  until  the  two  companies  of  the  regiment  under  Colonel  Smith 
comes  up,  when  they  can  be  brought  on.  The  order  of  march  has 
been  strictly  preserved,  and  the  column  marched  by  platoon  fronts, 
with  regular  intervals,  at  the  rate  of  96  or  100  steps  per  minute.  The 


20  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

company  arrangements  have  also  been  as  regular  as  the  ground  would 
admit,  having  in  view  the  proper  guard  over  the  mules  and  wagons .  I 
have  adopted  the  plan  of  detailing  a  company  of  guard,  and  posting  it 
in  the  most  convenient  place  the  commander  is  enabled  to  post  pickets 
and  sentinels,  so  as  to  guard  every  approach.  This  plan  saves  many 
details,  lessens  labor,  and  excites  a  spirit  of  emulation  which  insures 
great  vigilance.  The  officers  of  the  command  have  attended  faithfully 
to  their  several  duties,  and  many  have  shown  great  powers  of  enduring 
fatigue,,  being  on  foot  all  the  time.  Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  Canby 
has  ably  assisted  in  conducting  the  march,  and  much  of  the  good 
fortune  is  due  to  his  constant  attention  to  the  duties  immediately 
devolved  upon  him. 

On  the  5th  the  march  to  Utah  will  be  resumed,  and  although  the 
accounts  of  the  road  as  regards  grass  makes  it  much  more  difficult 
than  anything  we  have  yet  experienced,  I  hope  to  give  as  favorable  a 
report  upon  my  arrival  at  the  Salt  Lake  City. 

I  may  be  excused  from  expressing  the  pride  I  feel  in  the  successful 
accomplishment  by  my  regiment  of  so  much  of  its  first  arduous  duty, 
and  I  confidently  express  the  belief  that  unless  some  very  unforeseen 
accident  occurs,  I  will  reach  the  Territory  of  Utah  in  a  condition  of 
perfect  efficiency  and  discipline. 

I  amy  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 

Colonel  Commanding. 

Colonel  S.  COOPER, 

Adjutant  General  U.  S.  Army. 


HEADQUARTERS  TROOPS  SERVING  IN  KANSAS, 

Fort  Leavenworth,  Sept.  12,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  commu- 
nication of  the  29th  ultimo,  enclosing  a  copy  of  instructions  to  Colonel 
Albert  S.  Johnston,  2d  cavalry,  and  requesting  me  to  report  what 
disposition  should  be  made  of  the  troops  soon  to  arrive  at  this  post, 
and  coming  under  my  command. 

In  reply,  I  desire  to  inform  the  general-in-chief  that  the  two  posts 
in  this  Territory  under  iny  command  are  capable  of  quartering  six- 
teen mounted  companies  as  follows  :  six  companies  at  Fort  Riley  and 
ten  companies  at  this  post.  The  quarters  for  officers  at  this  post  are 
not  sufficient  for  ten  companies. 

I  recommend  that  six  companies  of  the  1st  cavalry,  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  senior  officer  of  the  regiment,  be  placed  at  Fort  Riley  ; 
the  remaining  four  companies  of  that  regiment,  with  two  companies 
of  2d  dragoons,  and  Sherman's  battery,  to  be  stationed  here.  In  the 
event  of  a  large  body  of  troops  being  assembled  in  this  Territory  this 
fall,  shelter  can  easily  be  constructed  at  this  place  for  them,  provided 
the  lumber  is  sent  to  this  post  from  St.  Louis  immediately.  At  this 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  21 

time  a  large  number  of  camp  women  are  living  in  tents,  and  there  is 
no  prospect  of  their  being  better  sheltered  for  the  winter. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

WM.  S.  HAKNEY, 

Col.  2d  Dragoons,  and  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.,  Commanding. 
ASSISTANT  ADJUTANT  GENERAL, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army,  West  Point,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Fort  Leavenworth,  September  12,  1857. 

SIR  :  In  consequence  of  the  liability  of  depredations  by  the  Indians 
in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Kearny,  and  the  necessity  of  immediate  pur- 
suit and  punishment  of  the  offenders,  and  of  scouting  and  escorts,  I 
have  the  honor  to  request  authority  to  keep  at  that  post  twenty 
mounted  infantry.  Should  this  application  be  granted,  I  respectfully 
request  that  the  quartermaster  and  ordnance  departments  at  this  post 
may  be  ordered  respectively  to  furnish  the  horses  and  necessary 
equipments  without  any  necessity  for  my  action,  and  that  they  may 
be  sent  without  delay  to  that  post. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Col.  2d  Cavalry,  Commanding. 
ASSISTANT  ADJUTANT  GENERAL, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army,  West  Point,  N.  Y. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  FOR  UTAH, 
Fort  Leavemoorth,  September  12,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  find  that  no  provision  has  been  made  for  protecting  the  mail 
service  between  Utah  City  and  this  frontier  during  the  ensuing  winter; 
and  as  I  have  no  control  over  a  portion  of  the  forces  that  will  be 
needed  to  carry  into  execution  any  plan  for  that  purpose,  I  respect- 
fully request  that  some  arrangement  may  be  initiated  at  the  head- 
quarters of  the  army  similar  to  that  promulgated  in  Special  Orders, 
No.  106,  of  December  4,  1854,  from  the  headquarters  Department  of 
the  West.  In  case  the  Post  Office  Department  contracts  to  have  the 
mail  carried,  I  deem  this  precaution  essential  for  its  security  and 
success. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Col.  2d  Cavalry,  Commanding. 
ASSISTANT  ADJUTANT  GENERAL, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army,  West  Point,  N.  Y. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Fort  Leavenworth,  September  16,  1857. 

^  Six  companies  of  the  2d  dragoons,  under  the  command  of 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Cooke,  have  been  prepared  for  the  march  to  Utah, 


22  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

and  provided  with  every  requisite  to  make  it  successful  by  Brevet 
Brigadier  General  Harney,  agreeably  to  his  instructions  from  the 
headquarters  of  the  army,  and  have  by  him  been  transferred  to  my 
command  to-day. 

I  have  ordered  Colonel  Cooke  to  put  his  command  immediately 
en  route  for  Utah,  and  charged  him  with  the  duty  of  escorting  the 
governor  (Colonel  Cummin gs)  and  the  other  civil  officers  of  that  Ter- 
ritory to  Salt  Lake  City,  (see  order  herewith,)  of  which  Colonel  Cum- 
mings  has  been  officially  notified.  From  the  nature  of  the  service  to 
be  performed,  the  exercise  of  great  discretion  has  been  necessarily 
allowed  Colonel  Cooke  ;  but  he  is  a  cavalry  officer  of  great  experience 
and  well  acquainted  with  frontier  service,  and,  I  do  not  doubt,  will 
conduct  the  march  with  skill  and  success.  He  may  be  expected  to 
arrive  in  the  valley  of  Utah  by  the  15th  or  20th  November.  Trans- 
portation has  been  provided  for  a  half  ration  of  corn  for  all  his 
animals  to  Fort  Kearny,  at  which  place  he  can  renew  his  supply  to 
Laramie,  and  thence  through,  to  guard  against  the  chance  of  the  grass 
being  covered  with  snow. 

As  soon  as  I  see  Colonel  Cooke' s  command  on  the  route,  I  will  also 
leave  for  Salt  Lake  City,  with  an  escort  of  40  men  detached  from  the 
dragoons.  Arrangements  have  been  made  for  transporting  the  men  of 
the  escort,  their  baggage  and  subsistence,  and  forage  for  the  draught 
animals  in  light  spring  wagons,  which  will  enable  me  to  accomplish 
the  journey  in  about  thirty-five  days  ;  so  that  my  arrival  at  the  place 
of  destination  may  be  expected  by  the  20th  of  October  proximo. 

I  beg  leave  here  to  request  the  attention  of  the  general-in-chief  to 
the  necessity  of  an  appropriation  by  Congress,  at  the  next  session,  for 
the  building  of  permanent  barracks  for  the  accommodatian  of  the 
troops  destined  for  service  in  Utah,  should  there  be  a  peaceable  occu- 
pation by  them  of  that  Territory. 

Only  approximate  estimates  of  the  cost  can  be  made  at  this  time 
for  that  purpose ;  but  I  understand  that,  after  glass,  corks,  hinges, 
nails,  &c.,  shall  have  been  furnished,  other  materials  to  be  had  in 
Utah,  may  be  obtained  at  a  rate  of  cost  not  greater  than  that  for 
material  for  the  building  of  Fort  Riley.  The  appropriation  should 
be  made  in  the  coming  session,  so  that  there  may  be  an  early  prosecu- 
tion of  the  work  next  spring,  in  order  that  suitable  quarters  can  be 
provided  for  the  troops  by  the  ensuing  winter. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  ^d  Cavalry,  Commanding  Army  of  Utah, 

Major  IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army,  Neiv  York. 


FORT  KEARNY,  September  24,  1857. 

MAJOR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  my  arrival  at  this  post  to-day, 
having  made  the  journey  from  Fort  Leavenworth  in  seven  days.  Our 
march  was  retarded  during  the  first  two  or  three  days  by  bad  roads, 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  23 

made  so  by  frequent  showers  of  rain  during  that  time.  Since  it 
cleared  off  there  has  been  an  unclouded  sky,  and  the  weather  is  very 
fine  ;  at  6  o'clock  this  morning  the  thermometer  stood  at  54.3,  at  11^, 
83.0.  The  grass  is  fresh  and  abundant  on  the  route  to  this  place, 
and  I  am  informed  that  it  is  excellent  to  Laramie.  There  is  no  indica- 
tion of  an  early  winter,  and  I  see  no  reason  to  apprehend  it.  Beyond 
Laramie,  Captain  Van  Vliet  writes  from  Red  Buttes,  150  miles  west 
of  Laramie,  that  the  grass  is  bad  beyond  belief.  This  timely  notice 
will  prevent  any  delay  in  the  march  of  the  six  companies  of  the  2d 
dragoons  under  Colonel  Cooke.  I  have  directed  twenty-five  strong 
teams  and  wagons  to  be  tured  over  to  Colonel  Cooke  from  the  supply 
train  of  Colonel  Sumner's  command,  at  the  junction  of  the  road  from 
this  place  to  Fort  Kiley,  and  six  wagons  and  teams  at  this  post  on  his 
arrival.  These  thirty-one  additional  wagons  will,  I  think,  be  sufficient 
to  enable  him  to  transport  the  corn  for  his  horses  to  Utah  ;  if  not,  I 
understand  that  more  can  be  supplied  at  Fort  Laramie. 

Everything,  thus  far,  encourages  the  belief  that  there  will  be  no 
failure  of  any  portion  of  the  troops  destined  for  Utah  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  march.  The  10th  infantry,  I  have  heard,  was  to 
leave  Laramie  on  the  5th  of  September  ;  the  5th  infantry  reached 
Laramie  on  the  4th  ;  Philp's  and  Rino's  batteries  on  the  6th  and 
Yth,  and  Colonel  Smith,  with  his  companies  of  the  10th  infantry,  has 
probably  arrived  at  Laramie  by  this  time.  The  dragoons  should  be 
here  by  the  4th  or  5th  of  October,  and,  with  the  additional  transpor- 
tation and  the  means  of  replacing  animals  injured  on  the  route,  you 
may  rely  on  a  rapid  march  by  them  from  this  post  to  Laramie.  I  will 
leave  here  to-morrow  morning,  and  suppose  I  will  reach  Laramie  in 
eight  days.  I  will,  as  soon  as  possible,  join  the  troops  in  advance. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  2d  Cavalry,  Commanding  Army  of  Utah. 

Major  IRVIN  McDoNELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army,  New  York  City. 


HEAD  QUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
^  North  Bank  of  South  Fork  of  Platte,  September  29,  1857. 

MAJOR  :  We  have  just  crossed  the  south  fork  of  the  Platte,  and  met 
here  the  express  with  Captain  Van  Vliet \  report  of  the  result  of  his 
journey  to  Salt  Lake  City,  which  I  forward  for  the  information  of  the 
general-in-chief. 

When  I  reach  the  troops  in  advance  I  will  proceed  at  once  to  exe- 
cute the  orders  I  have  received,  and  not  delay  the  march,  unless  pre- 
vented by  the  destruction  of  the  grass  on  the  route,  by  cold  or  the 
filling  up  of  the  passes  by  snow.  In  either  event  a  suitable  position 
will  be  taken  until  it  is  practicable  to  advance. 

We  are  making  our  journey  with  more  despatch  than  I  expected  ; 
we  wi  1  be  at  Laramie  on  the  2d  of  October.  The  5th  and  10th  in- 
fantry, with  the  batteries,  inarched  from  Fort  Laramie,  as  was  ex- 


24  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

pected,  with  the  exception  of  Reno's  battery,  which  left  on  the  8th,  a  day 
later.  The  weather  continues  mild,  and  there  is  an  ahundance  of 
grass  on  the  route.  I  think  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  Colonel  Cooke's 
arrival  at  Fort  Laramie  by  the  18th  of  October.  I  will  travel  with 
all  rapidity  practicable  till  I  reach  the  troops  in  advance,  and  will  re- 
port everything  material  by  every  opportunity. 
With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  2d  Cavalry,  Commanding  Army  of  Utah. 

Maj   IRVIN  MCDOWELL,  Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army,  New  York  Oily. 

HEADUQARIERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Ash  Holloiv,  en-route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  September  29,  1857. 

Duplicate.  Original  forwarded  by  express  from  north  bank  of  south 
fork  ofPlatte. 


HAM'S  FORK,  September  16,  1857. 

CAPTAIN  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  for  the  information  of  the 
commanding  general,  the  result  of  my  trip  to  the  Territory  of  Utah. 

In  obedience  to  special  instructions,  dated  headquarters  army  for 
Utah,  Fort  Leavenworth,  July  28,  1857,  I  left  Fort  Leavenworth, 
July  30,  and  reached  Fort  Kearny  in  nine  travelling  days,  Fort 
Laramie  in  ten,  and  Great  Salt  Lake  City  in  thirty- three  and  a  half. 
At  Fort  Kearny  I  was  detained  one  day  by  the  changes  I  had  to  make 
and  by  sickness,  and  at  Fort  Laramie  three  days,  as  all  the  animals 
were  forty  miles  from  the  post,  and  when  brought  in  all  had  to  be  shod 
before  they  could  take  the  road.  I  travelled  as  rapidly  as  it  is  possi- 
ble to  do  with  six  mule  wagons.  Several  of  my  teams  broke  clown, 
and  at  least  half  of  my  animals  are  unserviceable  and  will  remain  so 
until  they  recruit.  During  my  progress  towards  Utah  I  met  many 
people  from  that  Territory,  and  also  several  mountain  men  at  G-reen 
river,  and  all  informed  me  that  I  would  not  be  allowed  to  enter  Utah, 
and  if  I  did  I  would  run  great  risk  of  losing  my  life.  I  treated  all 
this,  however,  as  idle  talk,  but  it  induced  me  to  leave  my  wagons  and 
escort  at  Ham's  fork,  143  miles  this  side  of  the  city,  and  proceed  alone. 
I  reached  Great  Salt  Lake  City  without  molestation,  and  immediately 
upon  my  arrival  I  informed  Governor  Brigham  Young  that  I  desired 
an  interview,  which  he  appointed  for  the  next  day.  On  the  evening 
of  the  day  of  my  arrival  Governor  Young,  with  many  of  the  leading 
men  of  the  city,  called  upon  me  at  my  quarters.  The  governor  re- 
ceived me  most  cordially  and  treated  me  during  my  stay,  which  con- 
tinued some  six  days,  with  the  greatest  hospitality  and  kindness.  In 
this  interview  the  governor  made  known  to  me  his  views  with  regard 
to  the  approach  of  the  United  States  troops,  in  plain  and  unmistake- 
able  language. 

He  stated  that  the  Mormons  had  been  persecuted,  murdered,  and 
robbed  in  Missouri  and  Illinois  both  by  the  mob  and  State  authorities, 
and  that  now  the  United  States  were  about  to  pursue  the  same  course, 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  25 

and  that,  therefore,  he  and  the  people  of  Utah  had  determined  to 
resist  all  persecution  at  the  commencement,  and  that  the  troops  now 
on  the  march  for  Utah  should  not  enter  the  Great  Salt  Lake  valley.  As 
he  uttered  these  words  all  those  present  concurred  most  heartily  in 
what  he  said. 

The  next  day,  as  agreed  upon,  I  called  upon  the  governor  and  de- 
livered in  person  the  letter  with  which  I  had  heen  entrusted.  In  that 
interview,  and  in  several  subsequent  ones,  the  same  determination  to 
resist  to  the  death  the  entrance  of  the  troops  into  the  valley  was  ex- 
pressed hy  Governor  Young  and  those  ahout  him. 

The  governor  informed  me  that  there  was  abundance  of  everything 
I  required  for  the  troops,  such  as  lumber,  forage,  &c.,  but  that  none 
would  be  sold  to  us.  In  the  course  of  my  conversations  with  the 
governor  and  the  influential  men  in  the  Territory,  I  told  them  plainly 
and  frankly  what  I  conceived  would  be  the  result  of  their  present 
course.  I  told  them  that  they  might  prevent  the  small  military  force 
now  approaching  Utah  from  getting  through  the  narrow  defiles  and 
rugged  passes  of  the  mountains  this  year,  but  that  next  season  the 
United  States  government  would  send  troops  sufficient  to  overcome  all 
opposition.  The  answer  to  this  was  invariably  the  same:  u We  are 
aware  that  such  will  be  the  case ;  but  when  those  troops  arrive  they 
will  find  Utah  a  desert.  Every  house  will  be  burned  to  the  ground, 
every  tree  cut  down,  and  every  field  laid  waste.  We  have  three  years' 
provisions  on  hand,  which  we  will  '  cache/  and  then  take  to  the  moun- 
tains and  bid  defiance  to  all  the  powers  of  the  government."  I  attended 
their  service  on  Sunday,  and,  in  course  of  a  sermon  delivered  by  Elder 
Taylor,  he  referred  to  the  approach  of  the  troops  and  declared  they 
should  not  enter  the  Territory.  He  then  referred  to  the  probability 
of  an  overpowering  force  being  sent  against  them,  and  desired  all 
present,  who  would  apply  the  torch  to  their  own  buildings,  cut  down 
their  trees,  and  lay  waste  their  fields,  to  hold  up  their  hands.  Every 
hand,  in  an  audience  numbering  over  4,000  persons,  was  raised  at  the 
same  moment.  During  my  stay  in  the  city  I  visited  several  families, 
and  all  with  whom  I  was  thrown  looked  upon  the  present  movement 
of  the  troops  towards  their  Territory  as  the  commencement  of  another 
religious  persecution,  and  expressed  a  fixed  determination  to  sustain 
Governor  Young  in  any  measures  he  might  adopt.  From  all  these 
facts  I  am  forced  to  the  conclusion  that  Governor  Young  and  the  people 
of  Utah  will  prevent,  if  possible,  the  army  for  Utah  from  entering 
their  Territory  this  season.  This,  in  my  opinion,  will  not  be  a  difficult 
task,  owing  to  the  lateness  of  the  season,  the  smallness  of  our  force, 
and  the  defences  that  nature  has  thrown  around  the  valley  of  the  Great 
Salt  Lake  There  is  but  one  road  running  into  the  valley  on  the  side 
which  our  troops  are  approaching,  and  for  over  fifty  miles  it  passes 
through  narrow  canons  and  over  rugged  mountains  which  a  small 
force  could  hold  against  great  odds.  I  am  inclined,  however,  to  believe 
that  the  Mormons  will  not  resort  to  actual  hostilities  until  the  last 
moment.  Their  plan  of  operations  will  be,  burn  the  grass,  cut  up 
the  roads,  and  stampede  the  animals,  so  as  to  delay  the  troops  until 
snow  commences  to  fall,  which  will  render  the  road  impassable.  Snow 
falls  early  in  this  region ;  in  fact  last  night  it  commenced  falling  at 
Fort  Bridger,  and  this  morning  the  surrounding  mountains  are  clothed 


26  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

in  white.  Were  it  one  month  earlier  in  the  season,  I  believe  the  troops 
could  force  their  way  in,  and  they  may  be  able  to  do  so  even  now;  but 
the  attempt  will  be  fraught  with  considerable  danger,  arising  from 
the  filling  up  of  the  canons  and  passes  with  snow.  I  do  not  wish  it 
to  be  considered  that  I  am  advocating  either  the  one  course  or  the 
other.  I  simply  wish  to  lay  the  facts  before  the  general,  leaving  it  to 
his  better  judgment  to  decide  upon  the  proper  movements.  Notwith- 
standing my  inability  to  make  the  purchases  I  was  ordered  to,  and 
all  that  Governor  Young  said  in  regard  to  opposing  the  entrance  of 
the  troops  into  the  valley,  I  examined  the  country  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  city  with  the  view  of  selecting  a  proper  military  site.  I  visited 
the  military  reserve,  Kush  valley,  but  found  it,  in  my  opinion,  entirely 
unsuitable  for  a  military  station.  It  contains  but  little  grass  and  is 
very  much  exposed  to  the  cold  winds  of  winter ;  its  only  advantage 
being  the  close  proximity  of  fine  wood.  It  is  too  far  from  the  city, 
being  between  forty  and  forty-five  miles,  and  will  require  teams  four 
days  to  go  there  and  return.  I  examined  another  point  on  the  road 
to  Kush  valley,  and  only  about  thirty  miles  from  the  city,  which  I 
consider  a  much  more  eligible  position.  It  is  in  Tuelle  valley,  three 
miles  to  the  north  of  Tuelle  city,  and  possesses  wood,  water,  and  grass; 
but  it  is  occupied  by  the  Mormons,  who  have  some  sixty  acres  under 
cultivation,  with  houses  and  barns  on  their  land.  These  persons 
would  have  to  be  dispossessed  or  bought  out.  In  fact  there  is  no  place 
within  forty,  fifty,  or  sixty  miles  of  the  city,  suitable  for  a  military 
position,  that  is  not  occupied  by  the  inhabitants  arid  under  cultiva- 
tion.* On  my  return  I  examined  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Bridger,  and 
found  it  a  very  suitable  position  for  wintering  the  troops  and  grazing 
the  animals,  should  it  be  necessary  to  stop  at  that  point.  The  Mor- 
mons occupy  the  fort  at  present,  and  also  have  a  settlement  about  ten 
miles  further  up  Black's  fork,  called  Fort  Supply  These  two  places 
contain  buildings  sufficient  to  cover  nearly  half  the  troops  now  en 
route  for  Utah  ;  but  I  was  informed  that  they  would  all  be  laid  in 
ashes  as  the  army  advances.  I  have  thus  stated  fully  the  result  of 
my  visit  to  Utah,  and,  trusting  that  my  conduct  will  meet  the  ap- 
proval of  the  commanding  general,  I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obe- 
dient servant, 

STEWART  VAN  VLIET, 

Captain,  A.  Q.  M. 
Captain  PLEASANTON, 

A.  A.  Adj't  Gen.  Army  for  Utah,  Fort  Leavemuorth. 

P.  S. — I  shall  starton  my  return  to-morrow,  with  an  escortof  ten  men. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  ASH  HOLLOW, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  Sept.  29,  1857. 

Copy.     Original  forwarded  by  express  from  north  bank  south  fork 
of  Platte. 

Official.  STEWART  VAN  VLIET, 

Captain,  A.  Q.  M. 

*  Finding  that  I  could  neither  make  the  purchases  ordered  to,  nor  shake  the  determination 
of  the  people  to  resist  the  authority  of  the  United  States,  I  left  the  city  and  returned  to  my 
camp  on  Ham's  fork. 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  27 

HEADQUARTERS,  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
South  Fork  of  the  Platte,  North  Bank,  September  29,  1857. 

MAJOR:  We  have  just  crossed  the  south  fork  of  the  Platte,  and  met 
here  the  express  with  Captain  Van  Vliet'  sreport  of  the  result  of  his 
journey  to  Salt  Lake  City,  which  I  forward  for  the  information  of  the 
general-in-chief. 

When  I  reach  the  troops  in  advance,  I  will  proceed  at  once  to  exe- 
cute the  orders  I  have  received  and  not  delay  the  march  unless  pre- 
vented by  the  destruction  of  the  grass  on  the  route  by  cold,  or  the 
filling  up  of  the  passes  by  snow.  In  either  event  a  suitable  position 
will  be  taken  until  it  is  practicable  to  advance.  We  are  making  our 
journey  with  more  despatch  than  I  expected  ;  we  will  be  at  Laramie 
on  the  2d  of  October. 

The  fifth  and  tenth  infantry  with  the  batteries,  marched  from  Lara- 
mie, as  was  expected,  with  the  exception  of  Reno's  battery,  which  left 
on  the  8th  instant,  a  day  later. 

The  weather  continues  mild,  and  there  is  an  abundance  of  grass  on 
the  route.  I  think  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  Colonel  Cooke's  arrival 
at  Fort  Laramie  by  the  18th  October.  I  will  travel  with  all  rapidity 
practicable,  until  I  reach  the  troops  in  advance,  and  will  report  every- 
thing material  by  every  opportunity. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Col.  Second  Cavalry,  Com'g  Army  of  Utah. 

Major  IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Ass't  Adj't  Gen.,  Headquarters  of  the  Army,  New  York  City. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  CAMP  NEAR  SCOTT'S  BLUFFS, 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  2}  1857. 

SIR  :  I  am  instructed  by  the  colonel  commanding  to  direct  you  to 
return  with  your  command  to  Fort  Laramie,  where  you  will  find 
orders  for  your  guidance. 

I  am  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Lieut.  Col.  WILLIAM  HOFFMAN, 

Commanding  Battalion  Sixth  Infantry. 


HEADQUARTERS,  FORT  LARAMIE,  N.  T., 

October  2,  1857. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  a  detachment  of  the  sixth  in- 
fantry, under  command  of  Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  W.  Hoffman, 
aggregate  (307)  left  this  post  this  day  for  Fort  Leavenworth,  K.  T. 
A  return  is  enclosed. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,  J.  LYNDE, 

Major  Seventh  Infantry,  Commanding  Post. 
ASSISTANT  ADJUTANT  GENERAL, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army,  New  York. 


28 


UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 

Fort  Laramie,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  4,  1857. 
SIR  :  As  the  possession  of  the  transportation  with  your  command 
is  of  the  highest  importance  to  the  colonel  commanding,  he  wishes 
you  to  reach  this  post  to-morrow. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  ohedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Fort  Laramie,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  5,  1857. 

MAJOR  :  I  arrived  at  this  post  last  night,  makirg  the  journey  from 
Fort  Leavenworth  in  seventeen  days  and  a  half.  Our  march  since  we 
reached  Ash  Hollow  has  heen  greatly  retarded  by  the  badness  of  the 
road,  usually,  from  that  point  heavy,  on  account  of  sandiness,  but,  at 
the  time  we  passed,  made  much  worse  by  frequent  showers  of  rain. 

On  my  arrival  1  ordered  the  two  companies  of  dragoons,  "  E  "  and 
"  H,"  and  a  detachment  of  forty-seven  men,  left  by  Colonel  Smith  to 
escort  the  governor  of  Utah,  to  march  immediately  to  join  the  troops 
in  advance.  I  have  made  such  arrangements  for  transportation  of 
forage  and  subsistence  as  will  insure  their  arrival  without  delay. 

I  am  greatly  disappointed  in  not  finding  an  abundant  supply  of 
corn  at  this  post.  I  shall,  after  taking  all  at  the  post,  have  no  more 
than  barely  sufficient  for  the  dragoon  horses  and  draught  animals  of 
the  train  of  that  command,  and  for  my  own  train. 

Two  trains  loaded  partly  with  corn,  may,  I  think,  certaiifly  be  ex- 
pected to  reach  here  before  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Cooke.  Should  a 
sufficient  supply  for  his  march  be  found  here,  on  his  arrival  he  will  be 
instructed  to  continue  his  march  until  he  joins  the  advance,  unless 
the  indications  of  the  rapid  approach  of  winter  shall  be  such  as  to 
make  the  risk  too  great  to  attempt  the  passage  of  the  South  Pass. 
The  practicability  of  doing  so  must  be  left  to  the  judgment  of  the 
commander  of  the  dragoons. 

At  present  the  weather  is  mild,  and  we  anticipate  a  protracted 
autumn.  Should  such  anticipation  be  realized,  I  do  not  doubt  Colonel 
Cooke  will  accomplish  the  march.  The  march  of  the  dragoons  will 
be  somewhat  retarded  by  the  state  of  the  roads.  Perhaps  they  will 
be  a  few  days  longer  than  estimated  in  my  letter  from  the  south  fork 
of  the  Platte. 

The  tenth  infantry  on  the  21st  ultimo  was  in  advance,  at  Ice  Springs, 
five  miles  above  the  fifth  crossing  of  Sweet  Water  ;  Captain  Phelps 
a  few  miles  behind.  The  fifth  infantry  on  the  21st  was  seven  miles 
below  the  third  crossing  of  the  same  stream,  and  on  the  22d  Captain 
Reno  was  ten  miles  above  the  first  crossing,  as  I  learned  from  Captain 
Van  Vliet,  who  I  met  on  his  way  to  Washington,  under  instructions 
from  General  Harney. 

I  met,  yesterday,  Colonel  Hoffman,  in  command  of  companies  "  B" 
and  UC,"  sixth  infantry,  en  route  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  to  whom  I 
gave  instructions  to  return  to  this  place  with  the  two  companies,  and 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  29 

assume  command  of  this  post.  He  arrived  this  morning,  and  is  now 
in  command  of  the  post.  I  did  not  feel  justified,  in  the  present 
posture  of  the  affairs  of  Utah,  in  allowing  the  withdrawal  of  his 
force  to  a  point  so  remote  from  where  they  may  he  needed  ;  and,  be- 
sides, the  means  of  transportation  he  had  with  him  is  indispensable 
for  the  advance  of  the  two  companies  of  dragoons  and  detachment  of 
infantry  which  (see  order  herewith)  has  been  ordered  forward.  If  I 
had  transportation  and  corn  the  two  companies  of  the  sixth  could  go 
forward. 

If  possible,  the  troops  will  enter  the  valley  of  Utah  this  fall.     This 
question  must  be  determined  by  the  facility  of  concentrating  the 
troops,  and  properly  securing  the  supplies  for  the  army. 
With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  Second  Cavalry,  Commanding  the  Army  of  Utah. 

Major  IRVIN  McDowELL,  Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army,  Neiv  York  City. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 

Fort  Laramie,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  4,  1857. 
SIR  :   As  the  possession  of  the  transportion,  with  your  command,  is 
of  the  highest  importance  to  the  colonel  commanding,  he  wishes  you 
to  reach  this  post  to-morrow. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Lieut.  Col.  WM.  HOFFMAN, 

Commanding  Battalion  6th  Infantry. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,    . 
Camp  on  the  Three  Crossings  of  Sweetwater,  October  13,  1857. 

MAJOR  :  To-night  two  men  who  lived  at  Fort  Laramie,  and  who 
had  been  sent  on  express  to  Colonel  Alexander,  arrived  at  our  camp 
on  their  way  back.  From  them  I  learn  that  the  Mormons  having  in- 
terposed a  force  in  rear  of  our  troops,  then  encamped  at  Ham's  fork  of 
Green  river,  succeeded  in  burning  three  supply  trains,  with  their  con- 
tents. A  message  from  Colonel  Alexander  was  sent  by  them  to 
Colonel  C.  F.  Smith,  instructing  him  to  protect  the  trains  in  the  rear, 
which  contains  the  clothing,  Sibley  tents,  subsistence,  &c. 

The  orders  with  regard  to  the  march  of  the  cavalry,  and  companies 

of  the  6th ,  having  been  countermanded,  leaves  Colonel  Smith 

with  only  22  men  ;  47  men  of  his  command  were  left  at  Laramie  as 
the  governor's  escort.  Lieutenant  Smith,  of  the  dragoons,  is  four 
days'  march  behind  us,  with  two  companies  of  dragoons,  the  47  men 
of  Colonel  Smith's  command,  and  25  dragoons  of  my  escort,  who 
were  left  at  Laramie  to  come  on  with  Lieutenant  Smith ;  his  com- 
mand will  number  about  200  men.  I  have  ordered  him  to  hasten 


30  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

forward  and  join  Colonel  Smith's  command.     We  will  march  in  the 
morning,  and  expect  to  encamp  with  Colonel  Smith  to-morrow  night. 

The  express  man  says  Colonel  Alexander  would  attempt  to  reach 
the  valley  of  Salt  Lake  by  the  Bear  river  ;  it  is  much  further  than  by 
the  usual  route,  and  why  he  selects  it  I  could  not  learn,  unless  from 
the  probability  of  the  grass  being  burnt  by  the  Mormons  on  the  di- 
rect route.  These  men  say  that  it  is  certain  that  they  will  burn  the 
grass  on  the  route  they  are  about  to  pursue.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, if  I  could  communicate  with  Colonel  Alexander,  I  would  di- 
rect him  to  take  up  a  good  position  for  the  winter,  at  Ham's  fork.  The 
road  is  beset  between  this  and  Ham's  fork  with  companies  of  Mor- 
mons, so  that  it  is  doubtful  whether  I  shall  be  able  to  communicate 
with  Colonel  Alexander. 

With  great  respect,  your  obdient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  2d  Cavalry,  Commanding  Army  of  Utah. 

Major  IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Ass't  Adj't  Gen' I  Headquarters  of  the  Army,  New  York  City. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
28  miles  from  South  Pass,  October  15,  1857. 

I  have  read  this  communication  and  respectfully  refer  it  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  general-in-chiof.     I  will  remain  near  the  Pacific 
Springs  with  Colonel  Smith  until  the  arrival  of  Lieutenant  Smith,  and 
will  move  on  to  the  army  protecting  the  supply  trains. 
With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  2d  Cavalry,  Commanding  Army  Utah. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  FOR  UTAH, 
Camp  Winfield,  Utah  Territory,  October  9,  1857. 
SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  I  have  assumed  command  of 
the  troops  of  the  United  States,  constituting  part  of  the  army  for 
Utah,  which  are  now  encamped  at  this  point.  These  troops  are  the 
5th  regiment  of  infantry,  eight  companies  of  the  10th  infantry,  and 
the  batteries  of  artillery  (6  and  12-pounder)  commanded  by  Captain 
Phelps,  4th  artillery,  and  Keno,  ordnance  depot,  respectively.  This 
camp  is  situated  on  Ham's  fork,  a  tributary  of  Black  fork,  which  is 
in  turn  a  tributary  of  Green  river,  about  15  miles  above  the  junction 
of  the  two  forks.  Fort  Bridger  is  distant,  in  a  southeast  direction, 
about  30  miles.  The  10th  infantry  reached  here  on  the  28th  of  Sep- 
tember ;  Phelp's  battery  on  the  following  day  ;  the  5th  infantry 
arrived  on  the  4th  of  October,  and  Keno's  battery  on  the  same  day. 
On  the  5th  instant  I  assumed  command,  for  reasons  which  I  conceive 
to  be  of  the  greatest  importance  to  the  troops  and  their  supplies,  and 


UTAH    EXPEDITION  31 

of  which  I  shall  have  the  honor  to  make  a  full  report  when  a  safer 
and  more  certain  opportunity  of  sending  despatches  presents  itself. 
At  present,  I  can  give  only  a  statement  of  what  has  occurred  since 
niy  arrival  and  report  the  disposition  I  have  determined  to  make  of 
the  troops. 

On  the  day  after  reaching  Hani's  fork,  and  at  the  first  camp  I 
made  on  it,  I  received  the  enclosed  letters  from  Governor  Young  and 
Lieutenant  General  Wells.  The  propositions  they  contain,  however 
absurd  they  are,  showed  conclusively  that  a  determined  opposition  to 
the  power  of  the  government  was  intended. 

I  had  met  Captain  Van  Vliet  on  the  21st  of  September,  returning 
from  Salt  Lake  City,  and  was  informed  by  him,  that  although  the  Mor- 
mons, or  rather  Governor  Young,  were  determined  to  oppose  an  entrance 
into  the  city,  yet  he  was  assured  that  no  armed  resistance  would  be 
attempted,  if  we  went  no  further  than  Fort  Bridger  and  Fort  Supply. 
I  was  still  further  convinced  of  this  by  the  circumstance  that  a  train 
of  more  than  one  hundred  contractor's  wagons  had  been  packed  for 
nearly  three  week  on  Ham's  fork  without  defence,  and  had  been  un- 
molested, although  they  contained  provisions  and^supplies  which  would 
have  been  of  great  use  to  the  Mormons.  Upon  securing  these  letters, 
I  prepared  for  defence,  and  to  guard  the  supplies  near  us  until  the 
nearest  troops  came  up.  I  replied  to  Governor  Young's  letter,  a  copy 
of  which  I  enclose,  and  have  not  had  any  further  correspondence  with 
him.  On  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  October,  the  Mormons  burnt  two 
trains  of  government  stores  on  Green  river,  and  one  on  the  Big  Sandy, 
and  a  few  wagons  belonging  to  Mr.  Perry,  sutler  of  the  10th  infantry, 
which  were  a  few  miles  behind  the  the  latter  train.  Colonel  Waite, 
of  the  5th,  though  not  anticipating  any  act  of  the  kind,  was  preparing 
to  send  back  a  detachment  to  these  trains  from  his  camp  on  Black 
fork  when  he  received  from  some  teamsters  who  came  in,  the  intelli- 
gence of  their  being  burnt.  No  doubt  now  existed  that  the  most  de- 
termined hostility  might  be  expected  on  the  part  of  the  Mormons, 
and  it  became  necessary  from  the  extreme  lateness  of  the  season  to 
adopt  some  immediate  course  for  winerting  the  troops  and  preserving 
the  supply  trains  with  us.  After  much  deliberation,  and  assisted  by 
the  counsel  of  the  senior  officers,  I  have  determined  to  move  the 
troops  by  the  following  route  : 

Up  Ham's  fork  about  18  miles  to  a  road  called  Sublette's  Cut-off, 
along  that  road  to  Bear  river  and  Soda  Spring.  On  arriving  at  Soda 
spring  two  routes  will  be  open,  one  down  Bear  river  valley  towards  Salt 
Lake,  and  one  to  the  northeast  towards  the  Wind  river  mountains, 
where  good  valleys  for  wintering  the  troops  and  stock  can  be  found. 
The  adoption  of  one  of  these  will  be  decided  by  the  following  circum- 
stances :  If  the  force  under  rny  command  is  sufficient  to  overcome  the 
resistance  which  I  expect  to  meet  at  Soda  spring,!  shall  endeavor  to  force 
my  way  into  the  valley  of  Bear  river  and  occupy  some  of  the  Mormon 
villages,  because  I  am  under  the  impression  that  the  Mormons,  after 
a  defeat,  will  be  willing  to  treat  and  bring  provisions  for  sale.  The 
supplies  on  hand  will  last  six  months,  and  if  I  can  get  possession  of  a 
town  in  Bear  river  valley,  I  can  easily  fortify  and  hold  it  all 
the  winter.  There  are  also  several  supply  trains  in  the  rear  to  which, 


32  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

I  have  communicated,  and  if  they  receive  my  letter  in  time  they  will 
he  saved,  and  can  join  us.     If  the  Mormons  are  too  strong  for  us, 
which  I  do  not  anticipate,  the  other  road  will  he  adopted,  and  I  will 
make  the  hest  of  my  way  to  the  mountains  and  hut  for  the  winter.    I 
desire  to  impress  upon  you  the  fact  that  I,  though  not  the  commander 
appointed  to  this  army  have  adopted  this  course,  because  the  safety  of 
the  troops  absolutely  depends  upon  an  immediate  effort,   and  having 
information  which  makes  it  certain  that  the  commander  will  not  reach 
here  before  the  20th  instant,  and  if  we  wait  until  that  time  we  cannot 
leave  this  valley.     The  information  I  allude  to  is  to  the  effect  that 
Colonel  Johnston  had  relieved  General  Harney,  and  had  not  left  Fort 
Leavenworth  on  the  10th  of  September  ;    and  thirty  days  is  the  least 
possible  time  in  which  he  can  arrive  here.     I  cannot,  for  fear  of  this 
being  intercepted,  tell  you  the  strength  of  my  command  or  send  returns 
of  it.     It  is  strong  enough  to  defend  itself  and  its  supplies  ;  whether 
it  is  able  to  assume  and  sustain  an  offensive  position  remains  to  be  seen, 
but  should  the  commands  which  I  have  heard  are  in  the  rear  come  up 
in  time,  I  think  we  will  have   sufficient  force  to  carry  out  an  active  • 
invasion.    If  we  are  obliged  to  winter  in  the  mountains  you  can  perceive, 
by  a  reference  to  Stansbury's  maps,  that  we  will  have  an  open  road  to 
Salt  Lake  City  in  the  spring,  and  one  which  I  am  told  is  open  early. 
By  this  one  attack  can  be  made  and  attention  called  from  the  main 
road  (that  by  Fort  Bridger)  which  may  then  be  traversed  by  troops. 
The  Bear  river  route  is,  however  said,  to  be  the  best  one  into  the 
valley  ;  the  other  passes  through  canons  that  can  be  defended  by  a 
handful  against  thousands,  and  it  is  moreover  so  easily  obstructed, 
that  in  a  week  it  could   be  made  utterly  impassable.     The  want  of 
cavalry  is  severely  felt,  and  we  are  powerless  on  account  of  this  defi- 
ciency to  effect  any  chastisement  of  the  marauding  bands  that  are  con- 
stantly hovering  about  us.      On  the  7th  instant  I  detached  Captain 
Marcy,  5th  infantry,  with  4  companies  to  Green  river,  to  collect  what 
he  could  find  serviceable  from  the  burnt  trains  and  to  disperse  any 
bodies  of  Mormons  he  found. 

In  conclusion,  permit  me  to  express  the  hope  that  my  acts  will  meet 
the  approval  of  the  government,  and  on  the  first  opportunity  I  will 
make  a  fuller  and  more  detailed  report.  It  is  unquestionably  the 
duty  of  the  government  to  quell,  by  overwhelming  force,  this  treason- 
able rebellion  of  the  governor  and  people  of  Utah  ;  and  I  must  most 
urgently  impress  upon  the  War  Department  the  fact  that  the  small 
body  of  troops  here  will  need  reinforcements  and  supplies  as  soon  as 
they  can  possibly  be  got  here  next  spring.  I  would  further  respectfully 
suggest  that  troops  should  be  sent  from  California  and  Oregon.  It  is 
said  that  the  road  from  California  to  Salt  Lake  is  passable  all  winter, 
and  it  is  certainly  so  much  earlier  in  the  spring  than  that  from  the 
States. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 
Colonel  Wth  Infantry,  Commanding. 

Col.  S.  COOPER, 

Adjutant  General,  U.  S.  A. 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  33 

FORT  BRIDGER, 

September  30,  185*7. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  you  the  accompanying  letter  from 
His  Excellency  Governor  Young,  together  with  two  copies  of  his 
proclamation  and  a  copy  of  the  laws  of  Utah,  1856-'57,  containing  the 
organic  act  of  the  Territory. 

It  may  be  proper  to  add  that  I  am  here  to  aid  in  carrying  out  the 
instructions  of  Governor  Young. 

General  Robison  will  deliver  these  papers  to  you,  and  receive  such 
communication  as  you  may  wish  to  make. 

Trusting  that  your  answer  and  actions  will  he  dictated  by  a  proper 
respect  for  the  rights  and  liberties  of  American  citizens. 
I  remain,  very  respectfully,  &c., 

DANIEL  U.  WELLS, 
Lieutenant  General  Commanding,  Nauvoo  Legion. 


GOVERNOR'S  OFFICE,  UTAH  TERRITORY, 
Great  Salt  Lake  City,  September  29, 1857. 

SIR  :  By  reference  to  the  act  of  Congress  passed  September  9,  1850, 
organizing  the  Territory  of  Utah,  published  in  a  copy  of  the  Laws  of 
Utah,  herewith  forwarded,  pp.  146-7,  you  will  find  the  following  : 

"  SEC.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  executive  power  and 
authority  in  and  over  said  Territory  of  Utah- shall  be  vested  in  a  gov- 
ernor, who  shall  hold  his  office  for  four  years,  and  until  his  successor 
shall  be  appointed  and  qualified,  unless  sooner  removed  by  the  President 
of  the  United  States.  The  governor  shall  reside  within  said  Territory, 
shall  be  commander-in-chief  of  the  militia  thereof,"  &c.,  &c. 

I  am  still  the  governor  and  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs  for  this 
Territory,  no  successor  having  been  appointed  and  qualified,  as  pro- 
vided by  law ;  nor  have  I  been  removed  by  the  President  of  the  United 
States. 

By  virtue  of  the  authority  thus  vested  in  me,  I  have  issued,  and 
forwarded  you  a  copy  of,  my  proclamation  forbidding  the  entrance  of 
armed  forces  into  this  Territory.  This  you  have  disregarded.  I  now 
further  direct  that  you  retire  forthwith  from  the  Territory,  by  the  same 
route  you  entered.  "  Should  you  deem  this  impracticable,  and  prefer  to 
remain  until  spring  in  the  vicinity  of  your  present  encampment,  Black's 
fork,  or  Green  river,  you  can  do  so  in  peace  and  unmolested,  on  condi- 
tions that  you  deposit  your  arms  and  amunition  with  Lewis  Robison, 
quartermaster  general  of  the  Territory,  and  leave  in  the  spring,  as 
soon  as  the  condition  of  the  roads  will  permit  you  to  march ;  and  should 
you  fall  short  of  provisions,  they  can  be  furnished  you,  upon  making 
the  proper  applications  therefor.  General  D.  H.  Wells  will  forward 
this,  and  receive  any  communications  you  may  have  to  make. 
Very  respectfully, 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 
Governor  and  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  Utah  Territory. 

The  OFFICER  COMMANDING  the  forces  now  invading  Utah  Territory. 
H.  Ex.  Doc.  71 3 


34  UTAH   EXPEDITION 


Proclamation  by  the  governor. 

CITIZENS  OF  UTAH  :    We  are  invaded  by  a  hostile  force,  who  are 
evidently  assailing  us  to  accomplish  our  overthrow  and  destruction,   f 

For  the  last  twenty-five  years  we  have  trusted  officials  of  the  gov- 
ernment, from  constables  and  justices  to  judges,  governors,  and  Presi- 
dents, only  to  be  scorned,  held  in  derision,  insulted,  and  betrayed,   i 
Our  houses  have  been  plundered  and  then  burned,  our  fields  laid  waste,  \ 
our  principal  men  butchered  while  under  the  pledged  faith  of  the  gov- 
ernment for  their  safety,  and  our  families  driven  from  their  homes  to 
find  that  shelter  in  the  barren  wilderness,  and  that  protection  among 
hostile  savages,  which  were  denied  them  in  the  boasted  abodes  of 
Christianity  and  civilization. 

The  Constitution  of  our  common  country  guarantees  unto  us  all  that 
we  do  now,  or  have  ever  claimed.  If  the  constitutional  rights  which 
pertain  unto  us,  as  American  citizens,  were  extended  to  Utah,  accord* 
ing  to  the  spirit  and  meaning  thereof,  and  fairly  and  impartially 
administered,  it  is  all  that  we  could  ask;  all  that  we  have  ever  asked. 

Our  opponents  have  availed  themselves  of  prejudice  existing  against 
us,  because  of  our  religious  faith,  to  send  out  a  formidable  host  to 
accomplish  our  destruction.  We  have  had  no  privilege  or  opportunity 
of  defending  ourselves  from  the  false,  foul,  and  unjust  aspersions  against 
us  before  the  nation.  The  government  has  not  condescended  to  cause 
an  investigating  committee,  or  other  person,  to  be  sent  to  inquire  into 
and  ascertain  the  truth,  as  is  customary  in  such  cases.  We  know 
those  aspersions  to  be  false;  but  that  avails  us  nothing.  We  are  con- 
demned unheard,  and  forced  to  an  issue  with  an  armed  mercenary 
mob,  which  has  been  sent  against  us  at  the  instigation  of  anonymous 
letter  writers,  ashamed  to  father  the  base,  slanderous  falsehoods,  which 
they  have  given  to  the  public  ;  of  corrupt  officials,  who  have  brought 
false  accusations  against  us  to  screen  themselves  in  their  own  infamy ; 
and  of  hireling  priests  and  howling  editors,  who  prostitute  the  truth  ' 
for  filthy  lucre's  sake. 

The  issue  which  has  thus  been  forced  upon  us  compels  us  to  resort 
to  the  great  first  law  of  self-preservation,  and  stand  in  our  own  defence, 
a  right  guaranteed  to  us  by  the  genius  of  the  institutions  of  our  country, 
and  upon  which  the  government  is  based.  Our  duty  to  ourselves,  to 
our  families,  requires  us  not  to  tamely  submit  to  be  driven  and  slain,  ' 
without  an  attempt  to  preserve  ourselves  ;  our  duty  to  our  country, 
our  holy  religion,  our  God,  to  freedom  and  liberty,  requires  that  we 
should  not  quietly  stand  still  and  see  those  fetters  forging  around  us 
which  are  calculated  to  enslave,  and  bring  us  in  subjection  to  an  unlaw- 
ful military  despotism,  such  as  can  only  emanate,  in  a  country  of  con- 
stitutional law,  from  usurpation,  tyranny,  and  oppression. 

Therefore,  I,  Brigham  Young,  governor  and  superintendent  of 
Indian  affairs  for  the  Territory  of  Utah,  in  the  name  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States,  in  the  Territory  of  Utah  forbid: 

First.  All  armed  forces  of  every  description  from  coining  into  this 
Territory,  under  any  pretence  whatever. 

Second.  That  all  the  forces  in  said  Territory  hold  themselves  in 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  35 

readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  notice  to  repel  any  and  all  such 
invasion. 

Third.  Martial  law  is  hereby  declared  to  exist  in  this  Territory  from 
'ind  after  the  publication  of  this  proclamation,  and  no  person  shall  be 
allowed  to  pass  or  repass  into  or  through  or  from  this  Territory  with- 
3ut  a  permit  from  the  proper  officer. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal,  at  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  Territory 
rf  Utah,  this  fifteenth  day  of  September,  A.  D.  eighteen  hundred  and 
fifty-seven,  and  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  of  America 
•the  eighty- second. 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 


HEADQUARTERS  lOm  REGIMENT  OF  INFANTRY, 

Camp  Winfield,  on  Ham's  Fork,  October  2,  1857. 
SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  commu- 
aication  of  September  29,  1857,  with  two  copies  of  Proclamation  and 
Dne  of  "  Laws  of  Utah/'  and  have  given  it  an  attentive  consideration. 
I  am  at  present  the  senior  and  commanding  officer  of  the  troops  of 
the  United  States  at  this  point,  and  I  will  submit  your  letter  to  the 
general  commanding  as  soon  as  he  arrives  here. 

In  the  meantime  I  have  only  to  say  that  these  troops  are  here  by 
the  orders  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  their  future 
movements  and  operations  will  depend  entirely  upon  orders  issued  by 
Competent  military  authority. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  &c., 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 
Col.  IQth  U.  S.  Infantry,  commanding. 
BRIGHAM  YOUNG,  Esq., 

Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 

HEADQUARTERS  lOra  INFANTRY,  October  2,  1857. 
Official. 

HENRY  E.  MAYNADIER, 

Adjutant  IQth  Infantry. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 

South  Pass,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  IS,  1857. 
MAJOR  :  Accompanying  this  communication  I  send  you  two  letters 
from  Colonel  Alexander,  the  commander,  at  present,  of  the  main  body 
of  the  army  of  Utah.  In  his  letter  of  the  8th  October,  Colonel  Al- 
exander questions,  by  the  hesitation  with  which  he  assumes  them,  his 
right  to  exercise  fully  all  the  duties  of  commander.  His  authority  to 
exercise  them  without  restriction  is  clearly  granted  by  the  sixty-second 
asticle  of  war.  Moreover,  General  Orders  No.  12,  headquarters  of 
the  army,  specially  directs  who  shall  command  in  the  absence  of 
General  Harney,  or,  to  be  inferred,  any  other  named  commander,  and 
sufficiently  explains  the  objects  of  the  expedition  ;  and  no  question 


36  UTAH   EXPEDITION 


for  the  decision  of  the  commander,  beyond  his  ordinary  military  du- 
ties, could  arise  before  the  arrival  of  Governor  Gumming. 

Misapprehending  the  authority  with  which  he  is  invested  by  law, 
and  the  orders  of  the  general-in- chief,  that  portion  of  his  letter 
respecting  command  would  be,  if  he  was  correct  in  his  view  of  his 
own  position,  a  merited  reflection  upon  his  superiors,  and  it  is  there- 
fore that  I  have  adverted  to  it.  Pursuing  his  design  indicated  in  his 
letter  of  October  8,  he,  you  will  learn  from  his  letter  of  October  14, 
(herewith,)  has  advanced  up  Ham's  fork  of  Green  river  thirty-five 
miles  above  the  crossing,  (see  map  herewith,)  and  there  directs  the 
movements  to  be  made  by  his  own  immediate  command  and  the  troops, 
in  his  rear,  to  form  a  junction,  which  from  erroneous  suppositions! 
would  be  wholly  impracticable.  First,  he  evidently  believes  that 
Colonel  Smith,  escorting  the  remainder  of  the  supply  trains,  (in  all 
about  nine,  including  three  sutler's  trains,)  is  advancing  on  the 
Kenney  road,  or  cut-off,  with  the  force  named  in  General  Harney's 
order  of  August  18,  and  of  course  he  had  not  received  the  counter- 
mand of  that  order.  He  assumes  that  the  command  in  rear  is  capable 
of  a  more  rapid  movement  than  his  own,  and,  therefore,  after  waiting 
one  day  at  the  point  indicated,  will  resume  his  march  ;  in  this  also  he 
would  have  been  disappointed,  as  the  trains  in  rear,  suffering  from 
fatigue  and  scarcity  of  sustenance,  and  without  rest,  which  the  teams 
with  him  have  had,  could  not,  if  where  he  supposed  them,  overtake 
them. 

These  are  the  facts,  and  if  known  by  Colonel  Alexander  his  dispo- 
sition, as  determined  in  his  letter  of  October  8,  would  have  been 
wholly  different.     Colonel  Smith  is  here  at  this  camp  with  fifty  men 
of  his  regiment.    I  overtook  him  the  day  before  yesterday  (16th  inst.) 
about  twenty  miles  east  of  this,  and  have  added  my  escort,  fifteen  dis- 
mounted dragoons,  to  his  force.     Lieutenant  Smith,  in  command  of  a 
squadron  of  dragoons  and  fifty  of  the  tenth  infantry,  a  force  of  about 
two  hundred  men,  maybe  expected  here  in  three  or  four  days.     He  is 
aware  of  the  necessity  of  promptness,  and,  I  am  sure,  will  lose  no 
time.     Mr.  Wm.  Magraw,  superintendent  South  Pass  wagon  road, 
with  a  patriotism  highly  creditable  to  him,  places  at  the  disposition 
of  the  government  as  many  of  his  employees  as  will  volunteer.     He 
thinks  fifty  or  sixty  will  organize,  and  I  have  agreed  to  accept  their 
service,  and  have  them  mustered  in  for  three  or  six  months,  as  they 
may  solicit ;  and  he  has  also  tendered  fifteen  good  teams  of  mules  and 
wagons,  which  I  have  also  accepted,  and  directed  them  to  be  receipted 
for   when   delivered.     Four  supply  trains,   containing  clothing,   (of 
which  the  troops  now  in  the  advance,  I  am  informed,  begin  to  need,) 
ordnance,  medical  and  subsistence  stores,  are  still  in  the  rear,  and  may 
be  expected  in  two  or  three  days.     The  storm  of  last  night  may  have 
destroyed  some  of  their  oxen,  and  on  that  account  there  may  be  more 
delay  than  I  estimate.    Eleven  mules  of  Colonel  Smith's  train  perished 
from  cold  last  night.     The  thermometer  this  morning  at  sunrise  was 
at  V6-     T^16  sky  ig  now  clear,  and  the  thermometer  at  one  o'clock 
stands  at  34°,  and  the  small  quantity  of  snow  that  fell  during  the 
night  is  melting,  so  that  the  animals  can  graze  freely.     I  am  thus 
minute,  that  the  reason  for  the  order  transmitted  to  Colonel  Alexan- 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  37 

cler  yesterday  morning  (herewith)  may  be  fully  comprehended.  His 
intended  movements,  if  met  with  opposition,  would  have  so  retarded 
his  march  as  to  have  made  it  impracticable,  and  would  so  have  proba- 
bly entangled  him  in  the  midst  of  the  deep  snow  of  the  valley  of  Bear 
river,  which  I  understand  never  fails  to  fall  there,  and  usually  early 
in  the  season,  as  to  place  him  beyond  the  means  of  extrication.  Our 
most  potent  enemy  at  present  is  the  snow,  and  constitutes  at  present 
our  chief  embarassment. 

The  movement  of  Colonel  Alexander  (for  the  reasons  I  have  men- 
tioned and  of  which  he  could  not  be  apprised,)  would  have  separated 
him  from  supplies  indispensable  to  the  comfort  and  safety  of  the  army, 
and  deprived  him  of  the  assistance  of  the  force  which  will  be  concen- 
trated here  in  a  few  days,  which,  however  small,  being  partly  of  cavalry, 
is  of  vital  importance. 

In  ordering  Colonel  Alexander  to  the  mouth  of  Fontenelle  creek,  a 
position  about  thirty  miles  from  his  camp  on  Ham's  fork,  I  did 
so  with  the  design  of  making  a  junction  practicable.  It  is  about 
seventy  miles  hence,  and  he  can  reach  it  by  a  good  road  and  without 
any  danger  of  surprise.  There  is  there  abundance  of  grass,  and  it  is 
a  point  from  which  I  can  reach  the  region  I  intended  to  occupy  this 
winter  without  risking  the  loss  of  our  animals.  As  soon  as  the  snow 
falls  sufficiently  on  Green  river  to  prevent  the  burning  of  the  grass, 
I  will  march  to  Henry's  fork  and  occupy  that  valley  during  the  winter. 
It  is  a  commanding  position,  and  accessible  two  months  earlier  for 
reinforcements  and  supplies  by  Cheyene  Pass  than  any  other,  and  will 
enable  me  to  march  by  Fort  Bridger  and  on  the  most  direct  route  to 
Salt  Lake  City,  as  soon  as  practicable  in  the  spring.  At  this  position, 
also,  Colonel  Cooke  can  join,  which  I  still  entertain  the  hope  he  will 
be  able  to  do. 

I  greatly  regret  that  the  impossibility  of  concentrating  the  troops 
destined  for  this  service  and  their  supplies  will  prevent  a  forward 
movement  before  spring.  It  is  now  manifest  that  before  the  force  can 
be  united  the  autumn  will  be  too  far  advanced  to  move  with  a  proba- 
bility of  success,  though  not  opposed  by  the  Mormons. 

You  are  already  apprised  by  the  proclamation  of  Brigham  Young 
and  his  letter  to  Colonel  Alexander,  which  I  transmitted  on  the  15th 
instant,  of  the  political  attitude  assumed  by  the  Mormons,  and  the  re- 
sistance they  meditate  to  the  just  authority  the  government  desires  to 
exercise  in  that  territory,  and  the  general-in-chief  no  doubt  has  al- 
ready considered  the  necessity  of  a  conquest  of  those  traitorous  people, 
and  has  estimated  the  force  necessary  to  accomplish  the  object,  with  a  full 
view  of  the  whole  subject  before  him  his  great  experience  would  not 
be  benefitted  by  any  suggestions  of  mine.  I  will,  however,  mention, 
that  unless  a  large  force  is  sent  here,  from  the  nature  of  the  country, 
that  a  protracted  war  on  their  part  is  inevitable.  The  great  distance 
from  our  source  of  supply  makes  it  impracticable  to  operate  with  a 
small  force.  It,  in  fact,  requires  the  employment  of  such  force  to  guard 
numerous  trains  of  the  supplies,  leaving  but  a  small  portion,  if  any, 
for  offensive  operations.  A  movement  of  troops  from  California, 
Oregon,  and  by  this  route  would  terminate  a  war  with  the  Mormons 


38  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

speedily  and   more   economically  than   if  attempted   by  insufficient 
means. 

In  five  or  six  days  I  think  we  will  have  all  the  force  available  here 
for  a  forward  movement.  By  that  time  the  trains  will  all  be  up  ;  they 
should  be  here  sooner.  In  twelve  days  from  this  time  I  expect  to  join 
Colonel  Alexander  at  or  near  Fontenelle  creek. 

The  general  may  be  assured  that  no  retrograde  movement  will  be 
made  by  this  force. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 

Colonel  2d  Cavalry,  Commanding  the  Army  of  Utah. 
Major  IRVIN  MCDOWELL,, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army,  New  York  City. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  FOR  UTAH, 
Camp  on  Ham's  Fork,  October  14,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  bearer  of  this,  Eli  Dufour,  is  a  trustworthy  person  whom 
I  send  to  obtain  information  of  the  position  of  any  trains  or  bodies  of 
troops  coming  this  way.  If  my  expresses  have  been  received  all  troops 
and  trains  should  be  on  Kenney's  road,  and  I  will  be  on  that  with  the 
troops  under  my  command  by  the  17th,  or  perhaps  the  16th,  where 
that  road  crosses  Ham's  fork  or  near  it.  I  will  wait  one  day  and  by 
that  time  the  forces  can  be  joined  ;  should  this  be  seen  by  Colonel 
Johnston  or  Governor  dimming,  I  desire  to  impress  upon  them  the 
necessity  of  a  rapid  march  to  join  us.  Eli  will  tell  all  that  has  oc- 
curred and  his  statements  may  be  relied  on.  I  wish  him  sent  back  to 
me  as  soon  as  possible  with  the  fullest  information  concerning  the 
troops.  This  column  is  so  encumbered  with  ox  wagons  that  its  march 
is  very  slow,  and  it  will  be  easy  to  overtake  it. 

The  Mormons  are  preparing  as  I  learn  to  attack  us,  and  it  will 
require  all  the  troops  that  can  be  got  up  to  defend  the  supplies,  and 
overcome  resistance.     I  can  hold  a  position,  however,  against  any  force, 
but  the  trains  will  prevent  my  going  on  in  the  face  of  an  attack. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 
Colonel  Commanding. 

To  any  officer  of  the  United  States  army, 

en  route  to  Utah,  or  GOVERNOR  GUMMING. 

NOTE. — I  am  extremely  anxious  to  hear  from  Colonel  Johnston  or 
the  governor,  and  hope  they  will  join  or  send  me  their  views.  No 
expresses  have  reached  us. 

E.  B.  A. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  FOR  UTAH, 
Camp  Winjield,  on  Ham's  Fork,  October  8,  1857. 
GENTLEMEN:  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  address  you  the  following  remarks 
upon  the  condition  of  the  troops  of  the  United  States,  which  are  now 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  39 

here,  and  to,  inform  you  of  the  disposition  to  be  made  of  them.  The 
5th  and  10th  regiments  of  infantry,  and  the  hatteries  under  Captains 
Phelps  and  Reno,  have  been  encamped  here  for  the  last  eight  or  ten 
days.  Seven  ox  trains  have  arrived  here  and  are  now  guarded  by  the 
troops,  thus  furnishing  a  supply  of  provisions  for  about  six  months. 
The  Mormons  are  committing  acts  of  hostility  and  depredation,  and 
have  already  burnt  three  trains  containing  supplies. 

The  season  is  late  and  the  time  in  which  military  operations  can  be 
effected  is  very  limited ;  the  total  supply  of  forage  will  last  only 
fourteen  days,  and  it  is  evident  that  before  the  expiration  of  that  time 
the  troops  must  either  be  at  their  wintering  place,  or  from  loss  of 
animals  they  will  be  unable  to  transport  supplies  to  it.  No  informa- 
tion of  the  position  or  intentions  of  the  commanding  officer  has  reached 
me,  and  I  am  in  utter  ignorance  of  the  objects  of  the  government  in 
sending  troops  here,  or  the  instructions  given  for  their  conduct  after 
reaching  here.  I  have  had  to  decide  upon  the  following  points : 
1st,  The  necessity  of  a  speedy  move  to  winter  quarters.  2d.  The  se- 
lection of  a  point  for  wintering,  and  3d.  The  best  method  of  conduct- 
ing the  troops  and  supplies  to  the  point  selected.  In  regard  to  the 
first,  the  question  was,  "Should  I,  in  virtue  of  my  seniority,  and  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  case,  move  the  troops  on,  or  await  the  arrival  of  the 
commander?"  I  received,  about  this  time,  reliable  information  that 
Colonel  Johnson  was  placed  in  command,  and  that  he  had  not  left 
Fort  Leavenworth  on  the  10th  of  September.  I  decided  to  move,  as 
it  would  jeopardize  everything  to  wait  Colonel  Johnson's  arrival, 
which  could  not  take  place  before  the  20th  of  October.  The  selecting 
of  a  wintering  place  was  next  to  be  considered,  and  of  those  suggested, 
the  following  were  deliberated  upon  :  1st.  The  east  side  of  Wind  river 
mountains,  going  back  to  the  South  Pass.  2d.  Henry's  fork  of  Green 
river  and  Brown's  hole.  3d.  The  vicinity  of  Fort  Hall  on  Beaver 
Head  mountain.  The  distances  from  the  present  position  would  be, 
respectively,  about  110,  90,  and  140  miles. 

Independent  of  its  being  a  retrograde  movement,  the  scarcity  of 
grass,  and  the  uncertainty  of  finding  a  wintering  place  of  suitable 
character  in  the  Wind  river  mountains,  were  sufficient  objections  to 
the  first.  The  second  position  was  accessible  and  convenient,  but  the 
strong  probability  that  the  Mormons  would  burn  the  grass,  and  the 
well  established  fact  that  it  would  be  very  late  in  the  spring  before 
the  troops  could  leave  their  winter  quarters  and  become  effective, 
decided  me  against  this  project.  The  third  I  have  adopted,  and  I 
will  move  as  soon  as  practicable  by  the  following  route  :  Up  Ham's 
fork,  on  which  we  are  now  encamped,  about  eighteen  miles,  to  the 
road  called  Sublette's  cut-off,  then  by  that  road  to  Bear  river  and  Soda 
spring,  thence  by  the  emigrant  road  to  the  north  and  east,  where  I 
am  assured  good  wintering  vallies  can  be  easily  found.  There  are 
also,  in  that  vicinity,  and  at  Fort  Hall,  many  herds  of  good  cattle 
which  can  be  depended  upon  for  subsistence.  It  is  believed,  on  some 
authority,  that  the  Mormons  will  make  a  stand  at  a  fortified  place 
near  Soda  spring,  and  if  so,  an  engagement  will  take  place.  This,  if 
successful  for  us,  which  I  do  not  doubt,  may  lead  the  head  of  the  Mor- 
mon church  to  treat,  and  by  following  up  a  success  totally,  we  may 


40  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

be  enabled  to  obtain  quarters  and  provisions  in  Salt  Lake  valley. 
But,  in  any  event,  we  have  good  wintering  open  to  us  outside  of  the 
Territory  of  Utah,  and  abundant  supplies  of  cattle,  and  in  the  spring 
we  will  be  ready  to  march  down  by  the  broad  valley  of  Bear  river  to 
the  great  Salt  Lake  City. 

To  reach  this  point  commands  should  take  Kenney's  cut  off  from 
Green  river  to  Soda  spring,  a  road  which  runs  nearly  parallel  to  Sub- 
lette's  cut  off,  and  which  is  said  to  be  better  for  grass  and  water.  After 
searching  the  South  Pass,  where  all  trains  have  been  directed  to  stop 
until  they  can  be  overtaken  by  troops  for  escort,  the  road  lies  nearly 
due  west,  and  if  any  doubts  are  entertained,  persons  can  be  found  on 
Green  river  who  will  point  it  out.  The  road  from  Green  river  to  the 
Bear  river  valley  will  be  passable  for  three  weeks  yet,  and  as  soon  as 
your  arrival  at  Bear  river  is  known,  information  will  be  furnished  for 
your  guidance. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 
Colonel  10th  Infantry,  Commanding. 

To  the  OFFICERS  of  the  United  States  army 

Commanding  forces  en  route  to  Utah. 

Received,  headquarters  army  of  Utah,  8  p.  m.,  IGth  October. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 

Camp  12  miles  east  of  the  South  Pass, 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  16,  1857. 

SIR  :  Colonel  Johnston  wishes  to  concentrate  the  command,  with  the 
view  of  wintering  in  an  eligible  spot  already  selected.  To  effect  this, 
and  not  cause  suspicion  of  the  intention,  he  wishes  you  to  proceed  by 
slow  marches,  moving  your  camp  short  distances,  and  gradually 
working  your  way  by  Subletted  road  to,  or  near  the  mouth  of  Fon- 
tenelle  creek,  so  that  he  can  join  you,  about  eleven  days  hence,  with 
this  command  and  all  the  trains  now  in  your  rear.  The  route  has 
been  indicated  to  the  bearer,  Dufour. 

Although  I  enclose  the  order  of  Colonel  Johnston  assuming  com- 
mand, he  wishes  you  to  give  all  necessary  orders,  and  to  treat  as 
enemies  all  who  oppose  your  march,  molest  your  teams,  appear  in 
arms  on  your  route,  or  any  in  manner  annoy  you. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Colonel  E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 

Commanding  the  advance  of  the  army  of  Utah. 
Sent  by  express  7  a.  m.  on  the  17th. 


HEADQUARTERS  BATTALION  IOTH  INFANTRY, 

Camp  on  Sweelwater  river,  257§  miles  from 

Fort  Laramie,  Utah  Territory,  October  13,  1857. 
SIR  :  On  my  march  this  morning,  I  met  an  express  from  Captain 
Marcy,  5th  infantry,  dated  Green  river  crossing  on  the  9th  instant,  a 
copy  of  which  I  enclose  for  the  commander  of  the  army  for  Utah. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  41 

There  were  two  men  accompanying  Mr.  Deshand,  the  express,  one 
of  whom,  Mr.  Laramie,  of  Fort  Laramie,  told  me  he  had  been  en- 
trusted by  Colonel  Alexander,  10th  infantry,  with  letters  for  me,  with 
orders  to  destroy  them  in  case  he  was  overhauled  by  the  Mormons  ; 
which  letters  he  had  destroyed  on  meeting  with  a  party  of  the  same, 
to  prevent  their  falling  into  hostile  hands.  This  doubtless  accounts 
for  not  having  particulars  of  the  outrages  alluded  to  by  Captain 
Marcy.  The  express  man  who  delivered  to  me  Captain  Marcy'snote  con- 
cealed it  in  his  moccasin,  and  they  only  suffered  him  to  pass  unsearched 
from  his  having  been  long  a  resident  of  the  country,  (he  is  a  half- 
breed  Frenchman,)  and  on  his  assurance  that  he  was  looking  for  his 
cattle  and  had  no  letters. 

The  information  which  will  meet  you  on  the  road  by  the  returning 
members  of  Mr.  McGraw's  surveying  party  is  unquestionably  correct. 
Without  calling  in  question  the  veracity  of  Mr.  Ficklin,  one  of  the 
engineers  of  the  party  who  carried  to  Mr.  McGraw's  camp  the  news 
of  his  being  stopped  by  an  armed  party  of  fifty  or  sixty  Mormons,  and 
of  the  destruction  of  three  of  our  supply  trains,  I  must  confess  that 
heretofore  I  put  no  faith  in  the  story,  thinking  it  originated  in  some 
mistake,  or  that  he  had  been  qiuzzed  by  teamsters. 

Mr.  Deshand,  whom  I  shall  employ  as  a  guide  in  my  advance, 
could  not  inform  me  of  the  number  of  Mormons  now  in  the  field 
operating  against  us,  but  he  says  there  may  be  several  hundred,  all 
mounted,  though  he  has  not  known  of  more  than  eighty  being  in  a 
body.  They  (the  Mormons)  say  no  more  supplies  shall  go  forward  ; 
that  they  will  no:  shed  blood  ;  but  if  a  Mormon  is  killed  by  us  they 
will  utterly  exterminate  the  gentile  army.  As  the  threats  of  their 
leaders  to  Captain  Van  Vliet,  coupled  with  the  burning  of  our  supply 
trains — in  itself  an  act  of  war — is  evidence  of  their  treason,  I  shall 
regard  them  as  enemies,  and  fire  upon  the  scoundrels  if  they  give  me 
the  least  opportunity. 

There  are  four  supply  trains  for  the  army  behind  me.  I  shall  move 
about  thirty  miles  in  front,  which  would  bring  me  to  sixty  miles  from 
Green  river,  and  there  remain  until  those  trains  are  up  and  then  serve 
as  their  escort,  taking  the  route  by  the  Big  Sandy  as  recommended 
by  Colonel  Alexander. 

The  grass  is  better  after  you  strike  the  Sweet  water  than  between 
that  and  Fort  Laramie.  There  are  not  exceeding  20  sacks  of  corn  at 
the  bridge  on  the  Platte,  and  about  the  same  quantity  at  the  bridge 
on  the  Sweetwater.  We  have  had  snow  twice,  with  quite  cold 
weather. 

Deducting  the  escort  of  50  men,  left  at  Fort  Laramie  for  the  gover- 
nor of  Utah,  I  have  but  the  remnants  of  companies  A  and  B,  10th 
infantry,  say  50  men.  One  of  the  sutler's  trains  (Perry's)  near  me 
can  get  up  30  rifles.  These,  with  some  armed  teamsters  in  the  supply 
trains,  will  give  a  respectable  force  for  the  guerilla  war  promised  us. 

A  cavalry  force  is  the  great  want  ahead. 

In  haste,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

C.  F.  SMITH, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  IQth  Infantry  and  Brevet  Colonel  Commanding. 

The  ASSISTANT  ADJUTANT  GENERAL, 

Headquarters  Army  of  Utah,  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 


42  UTAH  EXPEDITION. 

[Copy  for  commander  of  the  army  for  Utah.] 

Captain  R.B.  Marcyto  Colonel  C.  F.  Smith. 

GREEN  RIVER  CROSSING, 
October  9, 185T. 

I  have  just  arrived  here  from  the  camp  of  the  army  on  Ham's  fork  of 
Green  river;  it  is  a  fork  of  Black  river.  Before  my  departure  Colonel 
Alexander  desired  me  to  procure  an  express  at  this  point  and  send  it 
to  you,  with  the  information  that  the  army  would  leave  its  present 
position  on  the  10th  or  llth  instant  to  go  in  the  direction  of  Soda 
springs,  on  Bear  river.  Colonel  Alexander  will  strike  up  Ham's  fork 
until  he  intersects  the  road  to  Fort  Hall,  ("Subletted  cut-off.")  But 
he  advises  you  to  come  on  down  the  Big  Sandy,  until  you  reach 
"  Kenney's  cut-off,"  upon  which  you  will  find  a  plenty  of  water, 
while  upon  the  other  road  it  is  scarce. 

I  send  this  by  a  man  who  knows  the  country  well,  and  he  has 
promised  to  escort  you  across  to  us.  I  have  directed  him  to  stop  all  the 
trains  he  meets  until  you  reach  them,  when  the  colonel  wishes  you  to 
take  them  into  your  train. 

I  have  learned  of  four  trains  of  supplies  being  destroyed,  but  I  am 
fearful  there  are  more. 

Very  sincerely,  yours, 

R.  B.  MARCY, 

Colonel  C.  F.  SMITH.  Captain  5th  Infantry. 

Official :  C.  F.  SMITH, 

Lieut.  Col.  IQth  Infantry,  and  Brevet  Colonel, 

Com'g  Battalion  10th  Infantry. 


HEADQUARTERS   ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Fort  Laramie,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  5,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  me  to  express  the  hope  that, 
on  arriving  at  this  post,  you  will  be  able  to  continue  your  march  to 
join  the  troops  in  advance  ;  but,  to  effect  this,  you  must  not  rely  upon 
finding  corn  beyond  this  point.  Two  trains  loaded  with  corn  will 
precede  you  to  this  depot.  From  this  supply  you  will  take  all  you 
can  carry  and  push  on  through  the  South  Pass,  permitting  nothing 
but  the  rapid  approach  of  winter  and  an  impracticable  march  delay- 
ing you.  The  weather  continues  fair,  and  indications  of  a  long  au- 
tumn gives  assurances  that  your  energy  will  overcome  the  obstacles  in 
your  path  ;  but  if  forced  to  halt,  atid  all  probability  of  joining  him  is 
precluded,  the  colonel  commanding  relies  upon  your  judgment  to 
establish  the  command  in  the  vicinity  of  this  post  so  as  best  to  secure 
its  comfort  and  safety. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Lieut.  Col.  P.  ST.  GEO.  COOKE, 

Commanding  2d  Dragoons,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City. 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  43 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Fort  Laramie,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  6.  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  the  guide  (Jeemise)  au- 
thorized to  accompany  you  be  taken  as  far  only  as  Platte's  bridge, 
and  from  thence  sent  to  this  post  to  await  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Cooke 
and  report  to  him. 

At  Platte  bridge  you  will  employ  another  guide  to  accompany  you 
to  the  end  of  your  march. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
First  Lieut.  W.  D.  SMITH, 

Commanding  Battalion  2d  Dragoons,  and  ~[Qth  Infantry. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Fort  Laramie,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  6,  1857. 

SIR  :  On  your  arrival  at  this  post  you  will  find  a  guide,  (Jeemise,) 
who  is  represented  as  an  excellent  man,  to  point  out  good  camping 
grounds  and  points  where  grass  can  be  found.  Should  snow  overtake 
you  beyond  this  post,  he  is  recommended  to  you  for  that  purpose,  and 
the  colonel  commanding  authorizes  you  to  employ  him  as  a  guide. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Lieut.  Col.  P.  ST.  GEORGE  COOKE, 

Commanding  2d  Dragoons. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  PLATTE  BRIDGE,  N.  T., 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  10,  185*7. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  wishes  to  hear  of  your  progress,  as  his  move- 
ments, in  some  measure,  will  be  regulated  by  yours,  and  he  therefore 
desires  you  to  send  forward  by  express  such  information  as  may  be  of 
advantage  to  him.  The  trains  (supply)  are  moving  forward  very 
well ;  the  grass  is  not  so  bad  as  represented,  and  is  starting  again 
since  the  rains. 

The  bearer  of  this  is  your  guide. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Lieut.  Col.  P.  ST.  GEORGE  COOKE, 

Commanding  2d  Dragoons. 


44  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  at  the  three  crossings  of  the  Sweetwater, 

October  13,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  am  directed  by  the  colonel  commanding  to  notify  you  that 
your  command  will  be  needed  for  the  protection  of  the  supply  trains 
now  gathering  at  the  head  of  the  Sweet  water,  and  that  he  wishes 
you  to  hasten  your  movements  and  join  Brevet  Colonel  C.  F.  Smith, 
10th  infantry,  as  early  as  practicable. 

After  passing  Willow  springs  you  will  find  the  grazing  very  good, 
particularly  this  side  of  "  Devil's  Gate"  on  the  Sweetwater,  close  to  the 
mountains. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
First  Lieut.  W.  D.  SMITH,  2d  Dragoons, 

Commanding  battalion  2d  Dragoons  and  IQth  Infantry. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  twelve  miles  east  of  South  Pass, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  16,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding,  desirous  of  obtaining  additional 
means  of  transportation  for  the  supplies  of  this  army,  requests  from 
you  for  the  ensuing  three  months,  or  till  such  time  as  you  will  require 
them  for  the  continuation  of  your  labor,  the  services  of  the  fifteen 
wagons  and  six  mule  teams  which  you  offered  to  place  at  his  disposal 
if  required. 

This  means  of  transportation  the  colonel  wishes  delivered   to  him 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  Pacific  springs,  as  soon  as  practicable. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
WM.  M.  F.  MAGRAW, 

Superintendent  South  Pass  wagon  road. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  12  miles  east  of  the  South  Pass, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  16,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  am  directed  by  the  colonel  commanding  to  inform  you  that 
if  any  of  your  employes  are  willing  to  enter  the  military  service  for 
three  months  he  will  receive  them  and  have  them  mustered  in  for 
that  period  as  soon  as  organized,  giving  them  the  right  to  elect  their 
own  officers  and  non-commissioned  officers,  in  the  proportion  of  one 
captain,  two  lieutenants,  two  musicians,  four  sergeants,  and  four  cor- 
porals to  a  company  of  forty-two  privates. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
WM.  M.  F.  MAGRAW, 

Superintendent  South  Pass  wagon  road. 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  45 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
South  Pass,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  21,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  following 
communications  from  your  office  since  September  1,  1857",  viz: 

General  Orders,  Nos.  9  and  12. 

Circular,  dated  August  26,  1857. 

Letter,  dated  September  1,  1857,  enclosing  copy  of  instructions  for 
the  government  of  the  commander  of  the  Utah  expedition. 

Letter,  dated  September  2,  1857,  reporting  that  books  and  blanks 
have  been  forwarded  to  General  Harney,  &c. 

Copies  of  Army  Regulations  for  1857,  Cross ;  Military  Laws,  Ord- 
nance Manual,  Ordnance  Regulations,  Macomb's  Practice  of  Courts 
Martial,  Cavalry  Tactics,  Scott's  Infantry  Tactics,  Hardee's  Light  In- 
fantry and  Rifle  Tactics,  Foot  and  Heavy  Artillery  Tactics,  and  forty- 
six  blank  Department  Returns. 

No  other  books  or  blanks  from  your  office  have  been  received  or 
turned  over  to  me. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  2d  Cavalry,  commanding  Army  of  Utah. 

To  the  ADJUTANT  GENERAL  UNITED  STATES  ARMY, 

Washington  city,  D.  C. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 

Big  Timbers,  on  Big  Sandy, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  30,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding,  with  a  view  of  securing  army  sup- 
plies, to-day  reported  as  in  store  at  Baptiste's  trading  station,  directs 
that,  secretly,  at  two  o'clock  to-night,  you  move  from  this  camp,  by 
the  direct  route,  to  that  station  and  take  possession  of  all  government 
stores  you  find,  until  delivered  to  the  proper  officers  with  this  com- 
mand. The  ford  at  Green  river  is  easy  to  cross,  being  not  more  than 
knee  deep. 

He  also  directs  that  you  keep  your  command  and  the  occupants  of 
the  houses  concealed,  permitting  no  egress  and  securing  all  persons 
approaching  the  station. 

'  Should  any  armed  mounted  men  approach  your  party  you  will 
knock  them  out  of  their  saddles  and  capture,  if  practicable,  and  treat 
as  enemies  all  persons  who  molest  you  or  appear  in  arms  on  your 
route. 

A  non-commissioned  officer  and  four  privates  will  accompany  your 
command  to  enable  you  to  communicate,  if  necessary,  with  these 
headquarters. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Capt.  B.  E.  BEE, 

Wth  Infantry,  Big  Timbers,  Big  Sandy. 


46  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Black's  Fork,  3  miles  below  mouth  of  Ham's  Fork, 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  5,  1857. 

MAJOR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  arrived  here  on  the 
3d  instant.  This  place  I  designated  in  a  communication  to  Colonel 
Alexander  subsequent  to  my  letter  to  you  from  the  South  Pass  of  the 
18th  of  October,  at  which  the  force  (consisting  of  one  squadron  of 
dragoons,,  two  companies  of  the  10th  infantry,  and  one  company  of 
volunteers,  in  all  about  300  men,)  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
C.  F.  Smith,  charged  with  the  duty  of  protecting  the  trains  of  supplies 
for  the  army,  could,  with  the  most  facility,  join  the  main  body. 
Colonel  Smith,  with  his  command,  and  the  numerous  trains  guarded 
by  it,  reached  here  on  the  30th  instant.  The  march  was  slow  and 
tedious,  and  effected  in  eight  days,  averaging  eleven  miles  per  day  ; 
although  the  road  was  excellent  and  the  weather  fine,  it  was  not  possi- 
ble to  make  any  more  rapid  progress  on  account  of  the  broken  down 
condition  of  the  draught  animals.  Trains,  including  sutlers  and 
merchants  destined  for  Salt  Lake,  (which  I  would  not  allow  to  go  on,) 
in  as  close  order  as  they  could  be  made  to  travel,  occupied  a  space  of 
five  or  six  miles.  No  molestation  whatever  was  attempted  by  the 
Mormons,  which  may  be  attributed  to  the  presence  of  the  cavalry,  and 
the  judicious  dispositions  and  vigilance  of  Colonel  Smith.  Yesterday 
and  to-day  have  been  occupied  in  making  arrangements  necessary  for 
a  forward  movement,  which  my  orders  (herewith)  will  explain.  To- 
morrow I  will  march  upon  Fort  Bridger  and  dislodge  any  force  I  may 
find  there,  and  await  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Cooke,  when,  as  the 
approach  of  winter  is  too  near  to  attempt  the  passage  of  the  Wahsach 
range  of  mountains  with  a  probability  of  success,  I  will  seize  upon  the 
district  mentioned  in  my  letter  from  South  Pass,  and  occupy  it  until 
an  advance  is  practicable. 

The  communication  of  Brigham  Young  to  Colonel  Alexander,  and 
Elder  Taylor  to  Captain  Marcy,  and  the  orders  of  D.  Wells,  the 
commander  of  the  Mormons,  (herewith,)  and  the  acts  of  the  legislative 
assembly  at  the  last  session,  show  a  matured  and  settled  design  on  the 
part  of  the  sect  of  Mormons  to  hold  and  occupy  this  Territory  inde- 
pendent of,  and  irrespective  of  the  authority  of  the  United  States. 
They  have,  with  premeditation,  placed  themselves  in  rebellion  against 
the  Union,  and  entertain  the  insane  design  of  establishing  a  form  of 
government  thoroughly  despotic,  and  utterly  repugnant  to  our  ins-titu- 
tutions.  Occupying,  as  they  do,  an  attitude  of  rebellion  and  open 
defiance  to  the  government,  connected  with  numerous  overt  acts  of 
treason,  (see  orders  and  commission  herewith,  issued  by  the  leaders,) 
I  have  ordered  that  wherever  they  are  met  in  arms,  that  they  be 
treated  as  enemies.  In  my  letter  from  the  South  Pass  I  submitted  to 
the  consideration  of  the  general-in-chief  the  necessity,  on  the  part  of 
the  government,  of  prompt  and  vigorous  action.  That  the  time  for 
any  further  argument  is  past,  and,  in  my  opinion,  the  people  of  the 
United  States  must  now  act,  or  submit  to  an  usurpation  of  their 
Territory,  and  the  engrafting  upon  our  institutions  a  social  organiza- 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  47 

tion  and  political  principles  totally  incompatible  with,  our  own.     Lest 
that  letter  may  not  have  been  received,  I  send  herewith  a  copy. 

The  state  of  things  now  existing  has  not  been  brought  about  by  the 
movement  of  troops  in  this  direction,  for  these  people  understand  the 
relation  of  the  military  to  the  civil  power  of  the  government  as  well 
as  any  other  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Union,  and  that  the 
arms  of  our  soldiers  are  designed  for  the  preservation  of  the  peaceful 
condition  of  society,  and  not  for  its  disturbance.  Their  conduct,  as  I 
have  before  stated  as  my  opinion,  results  from  a  settled  determination 
on  their  part  not  to  submit  to  the  authority  of  the  United  States,  or 
any  other  outside  of  their  church.  Enclosed  is  a  statement  by  the 
chief  commissary  of  the  amount  of  subsistence  destroyed  under  the- 
orders  of  Brigham  Young.  The  loss,  although  great,  is  less  than  I 
apprehended.  A  supply,  early  in  the  spring,  must  be  forwarded.  It 
should  reach  here  by  the  first  of  June.  The  supplies  of  the  con- 
tractors, sutlers,  &c.,  for  their  employes,  have  been  exhausted  ;  so 
long  a  detention  with  the  army  was  not  anticipated  by  them.  It  has 
thus  become  necessary  to  give  them  bread,  as  there  is  no  other  source 
from  which  they  can  obtain  it. 

Should  a  long  interval  intervene  without  hearing  from  me,  you 
need  only  attribute  it  to  the  difficulty  of  sending  expresses  across  the 
mountains  in  the  winter  months.  The  officers  and  men  are  in  fine 
health,  and  animated  with  an  ardent  desire  to  discharge  their  duty 
faithfully. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  2d  Cavalry,  Commanding  the  Army  of  Utah. 

Major  IRVIN  McDowELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General,  Headquarters  of  the  Army. 

P.  S. — We  have  made  one  day's  march  since  the  date  of  this,  and 
are  now  (November  27)  waiting  the  arrival  of  trains  delayed  yesterday 
by  a  storm.  Our  trains  occupy,  in  as  close  order  as  they  can  travel, 
the  road  for  thirteen  or  fourteen  miles  ;  therefore,  the  rear  cannot 
move  until  late  in  the  day. 

A.  S.  J. 


GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY, 

October  7,  1857. 

SIR  :     Presuming  that  during  a  dearth  of  news  from  the  east  and 
your  home,  news  from  the  west  might  enliven  the  monotonous  routine 
of  camp  life,  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  to  you  two  copies  each  of 
the  latest  numbers  of  the  Deseret  News. 
Very  respectfully, 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG. 
E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 

Colonel  Commanding  10th  Infantry,  U.  S.  Army. 


48  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


IN  CAMP,  NEAR  BEAR  RIVER, 

October  8,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  you  the  accompanying  letters 
and  papers  for  yourself,  Col.  Waite  and  Captain  Phelps,  sent  to  my 
care,  by  his  Excellency  Governor  Young. 

I  remain,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

DANIEL  H.  WELLS, 
Lieutenant  General,  Nauvoo  Legion, 
Colonel  'E.  B.  ALEXANDER. 


HEADqUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 

Camp  Winfield,  October  10,  1857. 

SIR  :  Colonel  Alexander,  commanding  the  United  States  troops, 
directs  me  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  by  your  messengers  of  packages 
of  papers  for  himself,  Colonel  Waite  and  Captain  Phelps. 

He  appreciates  highly  the  kind  attention  and  politeness  shown  to 
him  and  the  officers  of  the  army,  and  begs  that  you  will  accept  his 
thanks. 

I  am,  sir,  with  high  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  E.  MAYNADIER. 
His  Excellency  BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Governor  of  Utah. 


GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  U.  T., 

October  14,  1857. 

COLONEL:  In  consideration  of  our  relative  positions — you  acting  in 
your  capacity  as  commander  of  the  United  States  forces,  and  in  obe- 
dience, as  you  have  stated,  to  orders  from  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  I  as  governor  of  this  Territory,  impelled  by  every  sense 
of  justice,  honor,  integrity  and  patriotism  to  resist  what  I  consider 
to  be  a  direct  infringement  of  the  rights  of  the  citizens  of  Utah,  and 
an  act  of  usurpation  and  tyranny  unprecedented  in  the  history  of  the 
United  States — permit  me  to  address  you  frankly  as  a  citizen  of  the 
United  States,  untrammelled  by  the  usages  of  official  dignity  or  mili- 
tary etiquette. 

As  citizens  of  the  United  States,  we  both,  it  is  presumable,  feel 
strongly  attached  to  the  Constitution  and  institutions  of  our  common 
country  ;  and,  as  gentlemen,  should  probably  agree  in  sustaining  the 
dear  bought  liberties  bequeathed  by  our  fathers — the  position  in  which 
we  are  individually  placed  being  the  only  apparent  cause  of  our 
present  antagonism ;  you,  as  colonel  commanding,  feeling  that  you 
have  a  rigid  duty  to  perform  in  obedience  to  orders,  and  I,  a  still 
more  important  duty  to  the  people  of  this  Territory. 

I  need  not  here  reiterate  what  I  have  already  mentioned  in  my 
official  proclamation,  and  what  I  and  the  people  of  this  Territory 
universally  believe  firmly  to  be  the  object  of  the  administration  in  the 
present  expedition  against  Utah,  viz:  the  destruction,  if  not  the  entire 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  49 

annihilation  of  the  Mormon  community,  solely  upon  religious  grounds, 
and  without  any  pretext  whatever  ;  for  the  administration  do  know, 
from  the  most  reliable  sources,  that  the  base  reports  circulated  by 
Drummond,  and  others  of  their  mean  officials,  are  barefaced  calum- 
nies. They  do,  moreover,  know  that  the  people  of  Utah  have  been 
more  peacaeble  and  law  abiding  than  those  of  any  other  Territory  of 
the  United  States,  and  have  never  resisted  even  the  wish  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  nor  treated  with  indignity  a  single  indi- 
vidual coming  to  the  Territory  under  his  authority,  although  the 
conduct  and  deportment  of  many  of  them  have  merited,  and  in  any 
other  State  or  Territory  would  have  met  with  summary  punishment. 
But  when  the  President  of  the  United  States  so  far  degrades  his  high 
position,  and  prostitutes  the  highest  gift  of  the  people  as  to  make  use 
of  the  military  power  (only  intended  for  the  protection  of  the  people's 
rights)  to  crush  the  people's  liberties,  and  compel  them  to  receive 
officials  so  lost  to  self  respect  as  to  accept  appointments  against  the 
known  and  expressed  wish  of  the  people,  and  so  craven  and  degraded 
as  to  need  an  army  to  protect  them  in  their  position,  we  feel  that  we 
should  be  recreant  to  every  principle  of  self  respect,  honor,  integrity, 
and  patriotism,  to  bow  tamely  to  such  high  handed  tyranny,  a  parallel 
for  which  is  only  found  in  the  attempts  of  the  British  government,  in 
its  most  corrupt  stages,  against  the  rights,  liberties  and  lives  of  our 
forefathers.  Now,  colonel,  I  do  not  charge  you,  nor  those  serving 
under  you,  with  the  instigation  of  these  enormities.  I  consider  that 
you  are  only  the  agent  made  use  of  by  the  administration,  probably, 
unwillingly  so,  to  farther  their  infamous  designs.  What  high  minded 
gentleman  can  feel  comfortable  in  being  the  mere  cat's  paw  of  political 
jugglers  and  hucksters,  penny-a-liners,  hungry  speculators,  and  dis- 
graced officials.  Yet  it  is  from  the  statements  of  such  characters  only 
that  the  administration  has  acted,  attaching  the  official  seal  to  your 
movements.  Now,  I  feel  that,  when  such  treason  is  perpetrated,  un- 
blushingly,  in  open  daylight  against  the  liberties  and  most  sacred 
rights  of  the  citizens  of  this  Territory,  it  is  my  duty,  and  the  duty  of 
every  lover  of  his  country  and  her  sacred  institutions,  to  resist  it,  and 
maintain  inviolate  the  Constitution  of  our  common  country. 

Perhaps,  colonel,  you  may  feel  otherwise  ;  education  and  associa- 
tions have  their  influences  ;  bat  I  have  yet  to  learn  that  United  States 
officers  are  implicitly  bound  to  obey  the  dictum  of  a  despotic  Presi- 
dent, in  violating  the  most  sacred  constitutional  rights  of  American 
citizens. 

We  have  sought  diligently  for  peace.  We  have  sacrificed  millions 
of  dollars  worth  of  property  to  obtain  it,  and  wandered  a  thousand 
miles  from  the  confines  of  civilization,  severing  ourselves  from  home, 
the  society  of  friends,  and  everything  that  makes  life  worth  enjoy- 
ment. If  WQ  have  war.  it  is  not  of  our  seeking  ;  we  have  never  gone 
nor  sought  to  interfere  with  the  rights  of  others,  but  they  have  come 
and  sent  to  interfere  with  us.  We  had  hoped  that,,  in  this  barren 
and  desolate  country,  we  could  have  remained  unmolested  ;  but  it 
would  seem  that  our  implacable,  blood-thirsty  foes  envy  us  even  these 
barren  deserts.  Now,  if  our  real  enemies,  the  mobocrats,  priests, 
editors  and  politicians,  at  whose  instigation  the  present  storm  has 

H.  Ex.  Doc.  71 4 


50  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

been  gathered,  had  come  against  us,  instead  of  you  and  your  com- 
mand, I  should  never  have  addressed  them  thus.  They  never  would 
have  heen  allowed  to  reach  the  South  Pass.  In  you  we  recognize 
only  the  agents  and  instruments  of  the  administration,  and  with  you, 
personally,  have  no  quarrel.  I  believe  it  would  have  been  more  con- 
sonant with  your  feelings  to  have  made  war  upon  the  enemies  of  your 
country  than  upon  American  citizens.  But,  to  us,  the  end  to  be  ac- 
complished is  the  same,  and  while  I  appreciate  the  unpleasantness  of 
your  position,  you  must  be  aware  that  circumstances  compel  the 
people  of  Utah  to  look  upon  you,  in  your  present  belligerent  attitude, 
as  their  enemies  and  the  enemies  of  our  common  country,  and  not- 
withstanding my  most  sincere  desires  to  promote  amicable  relations 
with  you,  I  shall  feel  it  my  duty,  as  do  the  people  of  the  Territory, 
universally,  to  resist  to  the  utmost  every  attempt  to  encroach  further 
upon  their  rights. 

It,  therefore,  becomes  a  matter  for  your  serious  consideration, 
whether  it  would  not  be  more  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  and  insti- 
tutions of  our  country  to  return  with  your  present  force,  rather  than 
force  an  issue  so  unpleasant  to  all,  and  which  must  result  in  much 
misery  and,  perhaps,  bloodshed,  and,  if  persisted  in,  the  total  destruc- 
tion of  your  army.  And,  furthermore,  does  it  not  become  a  question 
whether  it  is  more  patriotic  for  officers  of  the  United  States  army  to 
ward  off,  by  all  honorable  means,  a  collision  with  American  citizens, 
or  to  further  the  precipitate  move  of  an  indiscreet-and  rash  adminis- 
tration, in  plunging  a  whole  Territory  into  a  horrible,  fratricidal  and 
sanguinary  war. 

Trusting  that  the  foregoing  considerations  may  be  duly  weighed  by 
you,  and  that  the  difficulties  now  impending  may  be  brought  to  an 
amicable  adjustment,  with  sentiments  of  esteem,  I  have  the  honor  to 
remain,  most  respectfully,  &c., 

BKIGHAM  YOUNG. 


GOVERNOR'S  OFFICE, 
Great  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah  Territory,  October  16,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
the  12th  instant,  at  8^  this  morning,  and  embrace  the  earliest  op- 
portunity to  reply,  out  of  courtesy  to  your  position,  at  this  late  season 
of  the  year. 

As  you  officially  allege  it,  I  acknowledge  that  you  and  the  forces 
have  been  sent  to  the  Territory  by  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
but  we  shall  treat  you  as  though  you  were  open  enemies,  because  I 
have  so  many  times  seen  armies  in  our  country,  under  color  of  law, 
drive  this  people,  commonly  styled  "  Mormons, "Ffrom  their  homes, 
while  mobs  have  followed  and  plundered  at  their  pleasure,  which  is 
now  most  obviously  the  design  of  the  general  government,  as  all  candid 
thinking  men  know  full  well.  Were  not  such  the  fact,  why  did  not  the 
government  send  an  army  here  to  protect  us  against  the  savages 
when  we  first  settled  here,  and  were  poor  and  few  in  number  ?  So 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  51 

contrary  to  this  was  their  course,  that  they  sent  an  informal  requisi- 
tion for  five  hundred  of  our  most  efficient  men,  (while  we  were  in  an 
Indian  country  and  striving  to  leave  the  borders  of  the  United 
States,  from  which  its  civilization  (?)  had  expelled  us,)  with  a  pre- 
concerted view  to  cripple  and  destroy  us.  And  do  you  fancy  for  a 
moment  that  we  do  not  fully  understand  the  tender  (?)  mercies  and 
designs  of  our  government  against  us?  Again,  if  an  army  was 
ordered  here  for  peaceful  purposes,  to  protect  and  preserve  the  rights 
and  lives  of  the  innocent,  why  did  government  send  here  troops  that 
were  withdrawn  from  Minnesota,  where  the  Indians  were  slaughter- 
ing men,  women,  and  children,  and  were  banding  in  large  numbers, 
threatening  to  lay  waste  the  country? 

You  mention  that  it  is  alone  in  my  gubernatorial  capacity  that  you 
have  any  business  with  me,  though  your  commanding  officer,  Brevet 
Brigadier  General  Harney,  addressed  his  letter  by  Captain  Van  Vliet 
to  Ci  President  Brigham  Young,  of  the  society  of  Mormons/' 

You  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  my  official  proclamation,  forbidding 
your  entrance  into  the  Territory  of  Utah,  and  upon  that  point  I  have 
only  to  again  inform  you  that  the  matter  set  forth  in  that  document  is 
true,  and  the  orders  therein  contained  will  be  most  strictly  carried  out. 
If  you  came  here  for  peaceful  purposes,  you  have  no  use  for  weapons 
of  war.  We  wish,  and  ever  have  wished  for  peace,  and  have  ever 
sued  for  it  all  the  day  long,  as  our  bitterest  enemies  know  full  well ; 
and  though  the  wicked,  with  the  administration  now  at  their  head, 
have  determined  that  we  shall  have  no  peace  except  it  be  to  lie  down 
in  death,  in  the  name  of  Israel's  God  we  will  have  peace,  even  though 
we  be  compelled  by  our  enemies  to  fight  for  it. 

We  have,  as  yet,  studiously  avoided  the  shedding  of  blood,  though 
we  have  resorted  to  measures  to  resist  our  enemies,  and  through  the 
operations  of  those  mild  measures  you  can  easily  perceive  that  you 
and  your  troops  are  now  at  the  mercy  of  the  elements,  and  that  we  live 
in  the  mountains,  and  our  men  are  all  mountaineers.  This  the  govern- 
ment should  know,  and  also  give  us  our  rights  and  then  let  us  alone. 
As  to  the  style  of  those  measures,  past,  present,  or  future,  persons 
acting  in  self-defence  have  of  right  a  wide  scope  for  choice,  and  that, 
too,  without  being  very  careful  as  to  what  name  their  enemies  may 
see  fit  to  term  that  choice  ;  for  both  we  and  the  Kingdom  of  God  will 
be  free  from  all  hellish  oppressors,  the  Lord  being  our  helper. 
Threatenings  to  waste  and  exterminate  this  people  have  been  sounded 
in  our  ears  for  more  than  a  score  of  years,  and  we  yet  live.  TheZion 
of  the  Lord  is  here,  and  wicked  men  and  devils  cannot  destroy  it. 

If  you  persist  in  your  attempt  to  permanently  locate  an  army  in 
this  Territory,  contrary  to  the  wishes  and  constitutional  rights  of  the 
people  therein,  and  with  a  view  to  aid  the  administration  in  their  un- 
hallowed efforts  to  palm  their  corrupt  officials  upon  us,  and  to  protect 
them  and  blacklegs,  black  hearted  scoundrels,  whore-masters,  and 
murderers,  as  was  the  sole  intention  in  sending  you  and  your  troops 
here,  you  will  have  to  meet  a  mode  of  warfare  against  which  your 
tactics  furnish  you  no  information. 

As  to  your  inference  concerning  "  public  and  private  letters,"  it 
contains  an  ungentlemanly  and  false  insinuation  ;  for,  so  far  as  I  have 


52  UTAH  EXPEDITION. 

any  knowledge,  the  only  stopping  or  detaining  of  the  character  you 
mention  has  alone  been  done  by  the  Post  Office  Department  in  Wash- 
ington; they  having,  as  you  must  have  known,  stopped  our  mail  from 
Independence,  Missouri,  by  which  it  was  but  fair  to  presume  that  you, 
as  well  as  we,  were  measurably  curtailed  in  mail  facilities. 

In  regard  to  myself  and  certain  others,  having  placed  ourselves  "  in 
a  position  of  rebellion  and  hostility  to  the  general  government  of 
the  United  States,"  I  am  perfectly  aware  that  we  understand  our  * 
true  and  most  loyal  position  far  better  than  our  enemies  can  inform  us. 
We,  of  all  people,  are  endeavoring  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  the 
genius  of  the  Constitution  and  constitutional  laws,  while  the  admin- 
istration and  the  troops  they  have  ordered  to  Utah  are,  in  fact,  them- 
selves the  rebels,  and  in  hostility  to  the  general  government.  And  if 
George  Washington  was  now  living,  and  at  the  helm  of  our  govern- 
ment, he  would  hang  the  administration  as  high  as  he  did  Andre,  and 
that,  too,  with  a  far  better  grace  and  to  a  much  greater  subserving 
the  best  interests  of  our  country. 

You  write,  "It  becomes  you  to  look  to  the  consequences,  for  you 
must  be  aware  that  so  unequal  a  contest  can  never  be  successfully 
sustained  by  the  people  you  govern/'  We  have  counted  the  cost  it 
may  be  to  us ;  we  look  for  the  United  States  to  endeavor  to  swallow  us 
up,  and  we  are  prepared  for  the  contest,  if  they  wish  to  forego  the  Con- 
stitution in  their  insane  efforts  to  crush  out  all  human  rights.  But 
the  cost  of  so  suicidal  a  course  to  our  enemies  we  have  not  wasted  our 
time  considering,  rightly  deeming  it  more  particularly  their  business 
to  figure  out  and  arrive  at  the  amount  of  so  immense  a  sum.  It  is 
now  the  kingdom  of  God  and  the  kingdom  of  the  devil.  If  God  is  for 
us  we  will  prosper,  but  if  He  is  for  you  and  against  us  you  will  pros- 
per, and  we  will  say  amen ;  let  the  Lord  be  God,  and  Him  alone  we 
will  serve. 

As  to  your  obeying  "orders,"  my  official  counsel  to  you  would  be 
for  you  to  stop  and  reflect  until  you  know  wherein  are  the  just  and 
right,  and  then,  David  Crocket  like,  go  ahead.  But  if  you  undertake 
to  come  in  here  and  build  forts,  rest  assured  that  you  will  be  opposed, 
and  that  you  will  need  all  the  force  now  under  your  command,  and 
much  more.  And,  in  regard  to  your  warning,  I  have  to  inform  you 
that  my  head  has  been  sought  during  many  years  past,  not  for  any 
crime  on  my  part,  or  for  so  much  as  even  the  wish  to  commit  a  crime, 
but  solely  for  my  religious  belief,  and  that,  too,  in  a  land  of  professed 
constitutional  religious  liberty. 

Inasmuch  as  you  consider  your  force  amply  sufficient  to  enable  you 
to  jcome  to  this  city,  why  have  you  so  unwisely  dallied  so  long  on 
Ham's  fork  at  this  late  season  of  the  year  ? 

Carrying  out  the  views  of  the  government,  as  those  views  are  now 
developing  themselves,  can  but  result  in  the  utter  overthrow  of 
that  Union  which  we,  in  common  with  all  American  patriots,  have 
striven  to  sustain  ;  and  as  to  our  failure  in  our  present  efforts  to  up- 
hold rights  justly  guaranteed  to  all  citizens  of  the  United  States,  that 
can  be  better  told  hereafter. 

I  presume  that  the  "  spirit"  and  tenor  of  my  reply  to  your  letter 
will  be  unsatisfactory  to  you,  for  doubtless  you  are  not  aware  of  the 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  53 

nature  and  object  of  the  service  in  which  you  are  now  engaged.  For 
your  better  information,  permit  me  to  inform  you  that  we  have  a 
number  of  times  been  compelled  to  receive  and  submit  to  the  most 
fiendish  proposals,  made  to  us  by  armies  virtually  belonging  to  the 
United  States,  our  only  alternative  being  to  comply  therewith.  At 
the  last  treaty  forced  upon  us  by  our  enemies,  in  which  we  were  re- 
quired to  leave  the  United  States,  and  with  which  we,  as  hitherto,  com- 
plied, two  United  States  senators  were  present,  and  pledged  them- 
selves, so  far  as  their  influence  might  reach,  that  we  should  be  no 
more  pursued  by  her  citizens.  That  pledge  has  been  broken  by  our 
enemies,  as  they  have  ever  done  when  this  people  were  a  party,  and 
we  have  thus  always  proven  that  it  is  vain  for  us  to  seek  or  expect 
protection  from  the  officials  of  the  administrators  of  our  government. 
It  .is  obvious  that  war  upon  the  saints  is  all  the  time  determined,  and 
now  we  for  the  first  time  possess  the  power  to  have  a  voice  in  the 
treatment  that  we  will  receive,  and  we  intend  to  use  that  power,  so  far 
as  the  Constitution  and  justice  may  warrant,  which  is  all  we  ask  for. 
True,  in  struggling  to  sustain  the  Constitution  and  constitutional 
rights  belonging  to  every  citizen  of  our  republic,  we  have  no  arm  nor 
power  to  trust  in  but  that  of  Jehovah  and  the  strength  and  ability 
that  He  gives  us. 

By  virtue  of  my  office  as  governor  of  the  Territory  of  Utah,  I  com- 
mand you  to  marshal  your  troops  and  leave  this  Territory,  for  it  can 
be  of  no  possible  benefit  to  you  to  wickedly  waste  treasures  and  blood 
in  prosecuting  your  course  upon  the  side  of  a  rebellion  against  the 
general  government  by  its  administrators.  You  have  had  and  still 
have  plenty  of  time  to  retire  within  reach  of  supplies  at  the  east,  or  to 
go  to  Fort  Hall.  Should  you  conclude  to  comply  with  so  just  a  com- 
mand and  need  any  assistance  to  go  east,  such  assistance  will  be 
promptly  and  cheerfully  extended.  We  do  not  wish  to  destroy  the 
life  of  any  human  being,  but,  on  the  contrary,  we  ardently  desire  to 
preserve  the  lives  and  liberty  of  all,  so  far  as  it  may  be  in  our  power. 
Neither  do  we  wish  for  the  property  of  the  United  States,  notwith- 
standing they  justly  owe  us  millions. 

Colonel,  should  you,  or  any  of  the  officers  with  you,  wish  to 
visit  this  city,  unaccompanied  by  troops,  as  did  Captain  Van  Vliet, 
with  a  view  to  personally  learn  the  condition  and  feelings  of  this 
people,  you  are  at  liberty  to  do  so,  under  my  cheerfully  proffered 
assurance  that  you  will  be  safely  escorted  from  our  outposts  to  this 
city  and  back,  and  that  during  your  stay  in  our  midst  you  will  receive 
all  that  courtesy  and  attention  your  rank  demands.  Doubtless  you 
have  supposed  that  many  of  the  people  here  would  flee  to  you  for  pro- 
tection upon  your  arrival,  and  if  there  are  any  such  persons  they  shall 
be  at  once  conveyed  to  your  camp  in  perfect  safety,  so  soon  as  such 
fact  can  be  known. 

Were  you  and  your  fellow  officers  as  well  acquainted  with  your 
soldiers  as  I  am  with  mine,  and  did  they  understand  the  work  they 
were  now  engaged  in  as  well  as  you  may  understand  it,  you  must 
know  that  many  of  them  would  immediately  revolt  from  all  connexion 
with  so  ungodly,  illegal,  unconstitutional,  and  hellish  a  crusade 


54 


UTAH  EXPEDITION. 


against  an  innocent  people,  and  if  their  blood  is  shed  it  shall  rest  upon 
the  heads  of  their  commanders. 

With  us  it  is  the  kingdom  of  God  or  nothing. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  your  obedient  servant, 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Governor  and  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  U.  T. 
E..B.  ALEXANDER, 

Colonel  IQth  Infantry,  U.  S.  A. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  FOR  UTAH, 
Camp  on  Ham's  Fork,  October  19,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  received  by  the  hands  of  Lieut.  Col.  Beatie  your  letter 
cf  the  16th  instant.  It  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  argue  the  points 
advanced  by  you,  and  I  have  only  to  repeat  my  assurance  that  no 
harm  would  have  happened  to  any  citizen  of  Utah  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  the  army  of  the  United  States,  in  the  performance 
of  its  legitimate  duties  without  molestation.  My  disposition  of  the 
troops  depend  upon  grave  considerations  not  necessary  to  enumerate, 
and  considering  your  order  to  leave  the  Territory  illegal  and  beyond 
your  authority  to  issue,  or  power  to  enforce,  I  shall  not  obey  it. 
I  am,  sir,  with  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 
Colonel  Commanding,  10£/i  Infantry  U.  S.  A. 
His  Excellency  BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 


GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY, 

October  27,  1857. 

SIR  :  At  the  request  of  Mr.  Wm.  A.  Hickman,  I  take  the  liberty  of 
stating,  from  a  letter  in  my  possession,  signed  "  Chas.  A.  Perry/' 
dated  Weston,  Missouri,  that  he  had  appointed  Mr.  Hickman  his 
agent  and  attorney  for  him  in  this  Territory  for  the  collection  of 
debts,  &c.  As  one  of  the  administrators  of  the  late  Colonel  A.  M. 
Babbitt,  (who  had  acted  as  agent  for  Perry,)  I  was  in  possession  of 
the  papers  of  Mr.  Perry,  and  refused  to  deliver  them  over  till  more 
fully  authorized.  Mr.  Hickman  has  spoken  frequently  to  me  of  his 
expecting  Mr.  Perry  out  this  fall,  and  of  his  anxiety  to  see  him  in 
relation  to  his  business  ;  and  doubtless  it  was  to  that  end  that  he  sent 
his  brothers  to  your  camp  with  a  letter  to  Mr.  Perry. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  yours, 

W.  H.  HOOPER. 

Colonel  ALEXANDER. 


GOVERNOR'S  OFFICE, 

Great  Salt  Lake  City,  October  28,  1857. 

SIR  :  Having  learned  that  Mrs.  Mago,  with  her  infant  child,  wishes 
to  join  her  husband  in  your  camp,  also  that  Mr.  Jesse  Jones,  who 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  55 

has  been  in  this  city  a  few  weeks,  was  anxious  to  see  Mr.  Roup,  it  has 
afforded  me  pleasure  to  cause  the  necessary  arrangements  to  be  made 
for  their  comfortable  and  safe  conveyance  to  your  care,  under  the  con- 
duct and  protection  of  Messrs.  John  Harvey,  Joseph  Sharp,  Adam 
Sharp,  and  Thomas  J.  Hickman,  the  bearers  of  this  communication. 

Mrs.  Mago  and  her  infant  are  conveyed  to  your  camp,  in  accordance 
with  my  previously  often  expressed  readiness  to  forward  to  you  such 
as  might  wish  to  go,  and  is  the  only  resident  of  that  description  in 
Utah,  as  far  as  I  am  informed.  Her  husband  made  his  first  appear- 
ance here  in  the  capacity  of  a  teamster  for  Capt.  W.  H.  Hooper.  He 
was  then  in  very  destitute  circumstances  ;  has  since  been  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  late  United  States  surveyor  general  of  Utah,  and  I  am  not 
aware  that  he  has  any  property  or  tie  of  any  description  in  this  Ter- 
ritory, except  the  wife  and  child  now  conveyed  to  him  in  your  camp. 
Should  Colonel  Conby  and  lady  wish  to  partake  of  the  hospitalities 
proffered  by  Mr.  Haywood  and  family,  and  should  Captain  K.  B. 
Marcy  desire  to  favor  me  with  a  visit,  as  I  infer  from  his  letter  of  in- 
troduction forwarded  and  in  my  possession,  or  should  you  or  any 
other  officers  in  your  command  wish  to  indulge  in  a  trip  to  this  city, 
you  will  be  kindly  welcomed  and  hospitably  entertained,  and  the 
vehicle  and  escort  now  sent  to  your  camp  are  tendered  for  conveyance 
of  such  as  may  receive  your  permission  to  avail  themselves  of  this 
cordial  invitation. 

It  is  also  presumed  that  your  humane  feelings  will  prompt  you,  in 
case  there  are  any  persons  who  wish  to  peacefully  leave  your  camp 
for  this  city,  to  permit  them  to  avail  themselves  of  the  protection  and 
guidance  of  the  escort  now  sent. 

Trusting  that  this  communication  will  meet  your  entire  approval 
and  hearty  co-operation,  I  have  the  honor,  sir,  to  be  your  obedient 
servant, 

BRIGHAM  Y.OUNG, 
Governor  and  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  II.  T. 

Colonel  E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 

Tenth  Infantry  A.  S.  A.,  Camp  Ham's  Fork. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA. 

TERRITORY  OF  UTAH,  >  gg 
(Jreen  River  county,  \  SSm 

The  United  States  of  America  to  B.   F.  Ficklin,  marshal  pro  tern,  of 
said  Territory,  greeting : 

You  are  hereby  commanded  to  take  Joseph  Taylor,  and  him  safely 
keep,  so  that  you  have  his  body  before  the  district  court  of  the  United 
States  for  the  county  aforesaid  at  the  next  term  thereof,  hereafter  ^to 
be  holden,  then  and  there  to  answer  to  the  United  States,  aforesaid, 
on  the  charge  of  treason  against  the  same. 

And  of  this  writ  make  due  service,  and  return  according  to  law.] 


56  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

Witness,  Albert  G.  Brown,  jr.,  clerk  pro  tern,  of  said  court,  with 

the  adopted  seal  of  said  court,  at  headquarters  of  the  army  for 

[L.  s.]     Utah  Territory,  on  Black's  fork  of  Green  river,  in  said  county, 

on  the  fourth  day  of  November,  in  the  year  eighteen  hundred 

and  fifty-seven. 

ALBERT  G.  BROWN,  Jr., 

Clerk  pro  tern. 


HEADQUARTERS  &c.,  CAMP  ON  HAM'S  FORK, 

November  \3  1857. 

SIR  :  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  to-day,  and  have  to  ex" 
press  my  appreciation  of  your  kindnes,  and  generosity  in  affording  Mrs. 
Mago  and  Mr.  Jones  safe  conduct  to  this  camp. 

The  persons  now  in  my  custody  are  amenable,  for  civil  offences,  to 
the  civil  authority  of  the  Territory ;  and  I  regret  that  it  is  not  in  my 
power  to  release  them,  without  the  consent  of  the  civil  authorities. 
As  soon  as  Governor  Gumming  arrives,  his  directions  concerning  them, 
will  be  obtained,  and  they  will  be  subject  to  his  order  and  control. 

I  can  assure  you  again  that  every  attention  will  be  paid  to  their  wel- 
fare and  comfort. 

Very  respectfully,  &c., 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 

Colonel  commanding* 
jrov.  B.  YOUNG. 


HEADQUARTERS  EASTERN  EXPEDITION, 
Camp  near  Cache  Cave,  Oct.  4, 1657. 

You  will  proceed,  with  all  possible  despatch,  without  injuring  your 
animals,  to  the  Oregon  road,  near  the  bend  of  Bear  river,  north  by 
east  of  this  place.  Take  close  and  correct  observations  of  the  country 
on  your  route.  When  you  approach  the  road,  send  scouts  ahead,  to 
ascertain  if  the  invading  troops  have  passed  that  way.  Should  they 
have  passed,  take  a  concealed  route,  and  get  ahead  of  them.  Express 
to  Colonel  Benton,  who  is  now  on  that  road  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
troops,  and  effect  a  junction  with  him,  so  as  to  operate  in  concert.  On 
ascertaining  the  locality  or  route  of  the  troops,  proceed  at  once  to 
annoy  them  in  every  possible  way.  Use  every  exertion  to  stampede 
their  animals  and  set  fire  to  their  trains.  Burn  the  whole  country 
before  them,  and  on  their  flanks.  Keep  them  from  sleeping  by  night 
surprises  ;  blockade  the  road  by  felling  trees  or  destroying  river  fords; 
where  you  can.  Watch  for  opportunities  to  set  fire  to  the  grass  on 
their  windward,  so  as  if  possible  to  envelope  their  trains.  Leave  no 
grass  before  them  that  can  be  burned.  Keep  your  men  concealed  as 
much  as  possible,  and  guard  against  surprise.  Keep  scouts  out  at  all 
times,  and  communications  open  with  Colonel  Benton,  Major  McAl- 
lester  and  0.  P.  Rockwell,  who  are  operating  in  the  same  way.  Keep 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  57 

me  advised  daily  of  your  movements,  and  every  step  the  troops  take, 
and  in  which  direction. 

God  bless  you,  and  give  you  success. 
Your  brother  in  Christ. 

DANIEL  U.  WELLS. 

P.  S. — If  the  troops  have  not  passed,  or  have  turned  in  this  direc- 
tion, follow  in  their  rear,  and  continue  to  annoy  them,  burning  any 
trains  they  may  leave.  Take  no  life,  but  destroy  their  trains,  and 
stampede  or  drive  away  their  animals,  at  every  opportunity. 

D.  U.  WELLS. 

Major  JOSEPH  TAYLOR. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Black's  Fork,  16  miles  from  Fort  Bridger, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  7,  1857. 

A  true  copy  of  instructions  in  the  possession  of  Major  Joseph  Tay- 
lor, when  captured. 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  October  21,  1857. 

MY  DEAR  SIR  :  I  embrace  this  the  earliest  opportunity  of  answer- 
ing your  communication  to  me,  embracing  a  letter  from  Mr.  Fuller, 
New  York,,  to  you,  an  introductory  letter  to  me,  and  also  one  from  W. 
J.  Appleby  to  Governor  Young  ;  the  latter,  immediately  on  its  receipt, 
I  forwarded  to  his  excellency  and  here  let  me  state,  sir,  that  I  sin- 
cerely regret  that  circumstances  now  existing  have  hitherto  pre- 
vented a  personal  interview. 

I  can  readily  believe  your  statement,  that  it  is  very  far  from  your 
feelings,  and  most  of  the  command  that  are  with  you,  to  interfere  with 
our  social  habits  or  religious  views.  One  must  naturally  suppose  that 
among  gentlemen  educated  for  the  army  alone,  who  have  been  occu- 
pied by  the  study  of  the  art  of  war,  whose  pulses  have  throbbed  with 
pleasure  at  the  contemplation  of  the  deeds  of  our  venerated  fathers, 
whose  minds  have  been  elated  by  the  recital  of  the  heroic  deeds  of 
other  nations,  and  who  have  listened  almost  exclusively  to  the  decla- 
mations of  patriots  and  heroes,  that  there  is  not  much  time  and  less 
inclination  to  listen  to  the  low  party  bickerings  of  political  dema- 
gogues, the  interested  twaddle  of  sectional  declaimers,  or  the  throes 
and  contortions  of  contracted  religious  bigots.  You  are  supposed  to 
stand  on  elevated  ground,  representing  the  power  and  securing  the 
interests  of  the  whole  of  a  great  and  mighty  nation.  That  many  of 
you  are  thus  honorable,  I  am  proud,  as  an  American  citizen,  to  ac- 
knowledge ;  but  you  must  excuse  me,  my  dear  sir,  if  I  cannot  concede 
with  you  that  all  your  officials  are  so  high  toned,  disinterested,  hu- 
mane, and  gentlemanly,  as  a  knowledge  of  some  of  their  antecedents 
expressly  demonstrate.  However,  it  is  not  with  the  personal  charac- 


58  UTAH  EXPEDITION. 

ter,  the  amiable  qualities,  high  toned  feelings,  or  gentlemanly  deport- 
ment of  the  officers  in  your  expedition  that  we  at  present  have  to  do. 
The  question  that  concerns  us  is  one  that  is  independent  of  your  per- 
sonal, generous,  friendly  and  humane  feelings,  or  any  individual  pre- 
dilection of  yours ;  it  is  one  that  involves  the  dearest  rights  of 
American  citizens,  strikes  at  the  root  of  our  social  and  political 
existence,  if  it  does  not  threaten  our  entire  annihilation  from  the  earth. 
Excuse  me,  sir,  when  I  say  that  you  are  merely  the  servants  of  a 
lamentably  corrupt  administration  ;  that  your  primary  law  is  obe- 
dience to  orders,  and  that  you  came  here  with  armed  foreigners  with 
cannon,  rifles,  bayonets  and  broadswords,  expressly,  and  for  the  openly 
avowed  purpose  of  "  cutting  out  the  loathsome  ulcer  from  the  body 
politic."  I  am  aware  what  our  friend  Fuller  says  in  relation  to  this 
matter,  and  I  entertain  no  doubt  of  his  generous  and  humane  feelings, 
nor  do  I  of  yours,  sir  ;  but  I  do  know  that  he  is  mistaken  in  relation 
to  the  rabid  tone  and  false,  furious  attacks  of  a  venal  and  corrupt  press. 
I  do  know  that  they  are  merely  the  mouthpiece,  the  tools,  the  '^ark- 
ing  dogs  of  a  corrupt  administration.  I  do  know  that  Mr.  Buchanan 
was  well  apprised  of  the  nature  of  the  testimony  adduced  against  us 
by  ex-Judge  Drummond  and  others  ;  for  he  was  informed  of  it  to  my 
knowledge  by  a  member  of  his  own  cabinet,  and  I  further  know,  from 
personal  intercourse  with  members  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  United  States,  that  there  have  been  various  plans 
concerted  at  headquarters  for  some  time  past  for  the  overthrow  of  this 
people.  Captain,  Mr.  Fuller  informs  me  that  you  are  a  politician  ; 
if  so,  you  must  know  that  in  the  last  presidential  campaign  the  re- 
publican party  had  opposition  to  slavery  and  polygamy  as  two  of  the 
principal  planks  in  their  platform.  You  may  know,  sir,  that  Utah 
was  picked  out,  and  the  only  Territory  excluded  from  a  participation 
in  pre-emption  rights  to  land.  You  may  also  be  aware  that  bills 
were  introduced  into  Congress  for  the  persecution  of  the  Mormons  ; 
but  other  business  was  too  pressing  at  that  time  for  them  to  receive 
attention.  You  may  be  aware  that  measures  were  also  set  on  foot, 
and  bills  prepared  to  divide  up  Utah  among  the  territories  of  Nebraska, 
Kansas,  Oregon  and  New  Mexico,  (giving  a  slice  to  California,)  for  the 
purpose  of  bringing  us  into  collision  with  the  people  of  those  Territo- 
ries, not  to  say  anything  about  thousands  of  our  letters  detained  at 
the  post  office  at  Independence.  I  might  enumerate  injuries  bv  the 
score,  and  if  these  things  are  not  so,  why  is  it  that  Utah  is  so 
"  knotty  a  question  ?"  If  people  were  no  more  ready  to  interfere  with 
us  and  our  institutions  than  we  are  with  them  and  theirs,  these  diffi- 
culties would  vanish  into  thin  air.  Why,  again  I  ask,  could  Drum- 
mond and  a  host  of  others,  mean  scribblers,  palm  their  barefaced  lies 
with  such  impunity,  and  have  their  infamous  slanders  swallowed  with 
such  gusto  ?  Was  it  not  that  the  administration  and  their  sattelites, 
having  planed  our  destruction,  were  eager  to  catch  at  anything  to 
render  specious  their  contemplated  acts  of  blood?  Or,  in  plain  terms, 
the  democrats  advocated  strongly  popular  sovereignty.  The  repub- 
licans tell  them,  that  if  they  join  in  maintaining  inviolable  the  do- 
mestic institutions  of  the  south,  they  must  also  swallow  polygamy. 
The  democrats  thought  this  would  not  do,  as  it  would  interfere  with 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  59 

the  religious  scruples  of  many  of  their  supporters,  and  they  looked 
about  for  some  means  to  dispose  of  the  knotty  question.  Buchanan, 
with  Douglas,  Cass,  Thompson  and  others  of  his  advisers,  after  failing 
to  devise  legal  measures,  hit  upon  the  expedient  of  an  armed  force 
against  Utah  ;  and  thus  thought,  "by  the  sacrifice  of  the  Mormons,  to 
untie  the  knotty  question ;  do  a  thousand  times  worse  than  the  re- 
publicans ever  meant ;  fairly  out-Herod  Herod,  and  by  religiously 
expatriating,  destroying,  or  killing  a  hundred  thousand  innocent 
American  citizens,  satisfy  a  pious,  humane,  patriotic  feeling  of  their 
constituents ;  take  the  wind  oat  of  the  sails  of  the  republicans,  and 
gain  to  themselves  immortal  laurels.  Captain,  I  have  heard  of  a 
pious  Presbyterian  doctrine  that  would  inculcate  thankfulness  to  the 
all-wise  Creator  for  the  privilege  of  being  damned.  Now,  as  we  are 
not  Presbyterians,  nor  believe  in  this  kind  of  self  abnegation,  you 
will,  I  am  sure,  excuse  us  for  finding  fault  at  being  thus  summarily 
dealt  with,  no  matter  how  agreeable  the  excision  or  expatriation 
might  be  to  our  political,  patriotic,  or  very  pious  friends.  We  have 
lived  long  enough  in  the  world  to  know  that  we  are  a  portion  of  the 
body  politic,  have  some  rights  as  well  as  other  people,  and  that  if 
others  do  not  respect  us,  we,  at  least,  have  manhood  enough  to  respect 
ourselves. 

Permit  me  here  to  refer  to  a  remark  made  by  our  friend  Mr.  Fuller, 
to  you,  viz  :  "  That  he  had  rendered  me  certain  services  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  and  that  he  had  no  doubt  that  when  you  had  seen 
and  known  us  as  he  had,  that  you  would  report  as  favorably  as  he 
had  unflinchingly  done/'  Now  those  favors  to  which  Mr.  Fuller 
refers  were  simply  telling  a  few  plain  matters  of  fact,  that  had  come 
under  his  own  observation  during  a  short  sojourn  at  Salt  Lake.  This, 
of  course,  I  could  duly  appreciate,  for  I  always  admired  a  man  who 
dare  tell  the  truth.  But,,  captain,  does  it  not  strike  you  as  humili- 
ating to  manhood  and  to  the  pride  of  all  honorable  American  citizens, 
when  among  the  thousands  that  have  passed  through  and  sojourned 
among  us,  and  knew  as  well  as  Mr.  Fuller  did  our  true  social  and 
moral  position,  that  perhaps  one  in  ten  thousand  dare  state  their 
honest  convictions  ;  and  further,  that  Mr.  Fuller,  with  his  knowledge 
of  human  nature,  should  look  upon  you  as  a  rara  avis,  possessing  the 
moral  courage  and  integrity  to  declare  the  truth  in  opposition  to  the 
floods  of  falsehood  that  have  deluged  our  nation.  Surely,  we  have 
fallen  on  unlucky  times,  when  honesty  is  avowed  to  be  at  so  great  a 
premium. 

In  regard  to  our  religion  it  is  perhaps  unnecessary  to  say  much ; 
yet,  whatever  others  feelings  may  be  about  it,  with  us  it  is  honestly  a 
matter  of  conscience.  This  is  a  right  guaranteed  to  us  by  the  Consti- 
tution of  our  country;  yet  it  is  on  this  ground,  and  this  alone,  that 
we  have  suffered  a  continued  series  of  persecutions,  and  that  this 
present  crusade  is  set  on  foot  against  us.  In  regard  to  this  people,  I 
have  travelled  extensively  in  the  United  States,  and  through  Europe, 
yet  have  never  found  so  moral,  chaste,  and  virtuous  a  people,  nor  do 
I  expect  to  find  them.  And,  if  let  alone,  they  are  the  most  patriotic, 
and  appreciate  more  fully  the  blessings  of  religious,  civil,  and  politi- 
cal freedom  than  any  other  portion  of  the  United  States.  They  have, 


60  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

however,  discovered  the  difference  hetween  a  blind  submission  to  the 
caprices  of  political  demagogues  and  obedience  to  the  Constitution, 
laws,  and  institutions  of  the  United  States;  nor  can  they,  in  the 
present  instance,  be  hoodwinked  by  the  cry  of  "  treason."  If  it  be 
treason  to  stand  up  for  our  constitutional  rights ;  if  it  be  treason  to 
resist  the  unconstitutional  acts  of  a  vitiated  and  corrupt  administra- 
tion, who,  by  a  mercenary  armed  force,  would  seek  to  rob  us  of  the 
rights  of  franchise,  cut  our  throats  to  subserve  their  party,  and  seek 
to  force  upon  us  his  corrupt  tools,  and  violently  invade  the  rights  of 
American  citizens ;  if  it  be  treason  to  maintain  inviolate  our  homes, 
our  firesides,  our  wives,  and  our  honor,  from  the  corrupting  and 
withering  blight  of  a  debauched  soldiery ;  if  it  be  treason  to  keep  in- 
violate the  Constitution  and  institutions  of  the  United  States,  when 
nearly  all  the  States  are  seeking  to  trample  them  under  their  feet, 
then,  indeed,  we  are  guilty  of  treason.  We  have  carefully  considered 
all  these  matters  and  are  prepared  to  meet  the  "  terrible  vengeance" 
we  have  been  very  politely  informed  will  be  the  result  of  our  acts.  It 
is  in  vain  to  hide  it  from  you  that  this  people  have  suffered  so  much 
from  every  kind  of  official  that  they  will  endure  it  no  longer.  It  is 
not  with  them  an  idle  phantom,  but  a  stern  reality.  It  is  not,  as  some 
suppose,  the  voice  of  Brigham  only,  but  the  universal,  deep  settled 
feeling  of  the  whole  community.  Their  cry  is,  "  Give  us  our  Consti- 
tutional rights;  give  us  liberty  or  death."  A  strange  cry  in  our 
boasted  model  republic,  but  a  truth  deeply  and  indelibly  graven  on 
the  hearts  of  100,000  American  citizens  by  a  series  of  twenty-seven 
years  unmitigated  and  unprovoked,  yet  unrequited  wrongs.  Having 
told  you  of  this,  you  will  not  be  surprised  that  when  fifty  have  been 
called  to  assist  in  repelling  our  aggressors,  a  hundred  have  volun- 
teered, and,  when  a  hundred  have  been  called,  the  number  has  been 
more  than  doubled;  the  only  feeling  is  "  don't  let  us  be  overlooked 
or  forgotten."  And  here  let  me  inform  you  that  I  have  seen  thou- 
sands of  hands  raised  simultaneously,  voting  to  burn  our  property 
rather  than  let  it  fall  into  the  hands  of  our  enemies.  They  have  been 
so  frequently  robbed  and  despoiled  without  redress,  that  they  have 
solemnly  decreed  that,  if  they  cannot  enjoy  their  own  property,  nobody 
else  shall.  You  will  see  by  this  that  it  would  be  literally  madness  for 
your  small  force  to  attempt  to  come  into  tbe  settlements.  It  would 
only  be  courting  destruction.  But,  say  you,  have  you  counted  the 
cest?  have  you  considered  the  wealth  and  power  of  the  United  States 
and  the  fearful  odds  against  you  ?  Yes  ;  and  here  let  me  inform  you 
that,  if  necessitated,  we  would  as  soon  meet  100,000  as  1,000,  and,  if 
driven  to  the  necessity,  will  burn  every  house,  tree,  shrub,  rail,  every 
patch  of  grass  and  stack  of  straw  and  hay,  and  flee  to  the  mountains, 
You  will  then  obtain  a  barren,  desolate  wilderness,  but  will  not  have 
conquered  the  people,  and  the  same  principle  in  regard  to  other  prop- 
erty will  be  carried  out.  If  this  people  have  to  burn  their  property  to 
save  it  from  the  hands  of  legalized  mobs,  they  will  see  to  it  that  their 
enemies  shall  be  without  fuel ;  they  will  haunt  them  by  day  and  by 
night.  Such  is,  in  part,  our  plan.  The  $300,000  worth  of  our  prop- 
erty destroyed  already  in  Green  river  county  is  only  a  faint  sample  of 
what  will  be  done  throughout  the  Territory.  We  have  been  twice 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  61 

driven,  by  tamely  submitting  to  the  authority  of  corrupt  officials,  and 
left  our  houses  and  homes  for  others  to  inhabit,  but  are  now  deter- 
mined that,  if  we  are  again  robbed  of  our  possessions,  our  enemies 
shall  also  feel  how  pleasant  it  is  to  be  houseless  at  least  for  once,  and 
be  permitted,  as  they  have  sought  to  do  to  us,  "  to  dig  their  own  dark 
graves,  creep  into  them,  and  die/' 

You  see  we  are  not  backward  in  showing  our  hands.  Is  it  not 
strange  to  what  lengths  the  human  family  may  be  goaded  by  a  con- 
tinued series  of  oppressions  ?  The  administration  may  yet  find  leisure 
to  pause  over  the  consequences  of  their  acts,  and  it  may  yet  become  a 
question  for  them  to  solve  whether  they  have  blood  and  treasure 
enough  to  crush  out  the  sacred  principles  of  liberty  from  the  bosoms 
of  100,000  freemen,  and  make  them  bow  in  craven  servility  to  the 
mendacious  acts  of  a  perjured,  degraded  tyrant.  You  may  have 
learned  already  that  it  is  anything  but  pleasant  for  even  a  small  army 
to  contend  with  the  chilling  blasts  of  this  inhospitable  climate.  How 
a  large  army  %vould  fare  without  resources  you  can  picture  to  your- 
self. We  have  weighed  those  matters;  it  is  for  the  administration  to 
post  their  own  accounts.  It  may  not  be  amiss,  however,  here  to  state 
that,  if  they  continue  to  prosecute  this  inhuman  fratricidal  war,  and 
our  Nero  would  light  the  fires  and,  sitting  in  his  chair  of  state,  laugh 
at  burning  Rome,  there  is  a  day  of  reckoning  even  for  Neroes.  There 
are  generally  two  sides  to  a  question.  As  I  before  said,  we  wish  for 
peace,  but  that  we  are  determined  on  having  it  if  we  have  to  fight  for 
it.  We  will  not  have  officers  forced  upon  us  who  are  so  degraded  as 
to  submit  to  be  sustained  by  the  bayonet's  point.  We  cannot  be  dra- 
gooned into  servile  obedience  to  any  man. 

These  things  settled,  captain,  and  all  the  like  preliminaries  of 
etiquette  are  easily  arranged;  and  permit  me  here  to  state,  that  no  man 
would  be  more  courteous  and  civil  than  Governor  Young,  and  nowhere 
could  you  find  in  your  capacity  of  an  officer  of  the  United  States  a 
more  generous  and  hearty  welcome  than  at  the  hands  of  his  excel- 
lency. But  when,  instead  of  battling  with  the  enemies  of  our  country, 
you  come  (though  probably  reluctantly)  to  make  war  upon  my  family 
and  friends,  our  civilities  are  naturally  cooled,  and  we  instinctively 
grasp  the  sword;  Minie  rifles,  Colt's  revolvers,  sabres,  and  cannon 
may  display  very  ,good  workmanship  and  great  artistic  skill,  but  we 
very  much  object  to  having  their  temper  and  capabilities  tried  upon  us. 
We  may  admire  the  capabilities,  gentlemanly  deportment,  heroism 
and  patriotism  of  United  States  officers ;  but  in  an  official  capacity  of 
enemies,  we  would  rather  see  their  backs  than  their  faces.  The  guil- 
lotine may  be  a  very  pretty  instrument,  and  show  great  artistic  skill, 
but  I  don't  like  to  try  my  neck  in  it. 

Now,  captain,  notwithstanding  all  this,  I  shall  be  very  happy  to  see 
you  if  circumstances  should  so  transpire  as  to  make  it  convenient  for 
you  to  come,  and  to  extend  to  you  the  courtesies  of  our  city,  for  I  am 
sure  you  are  not  our  personal  enemy.  I  shall  be  happy  to  render  you 
any  information  in  my  power  in  regard  to  your  contemplated  explora- 
tions. 

I  am  heartily  sorry  that  things  are  so  unpleasant  at  the  present 
time,  and  I  cannot  but  realize  the  awkwardness  of  your  position,  and 


62  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

that  of-  your  compatriots,  and  let  me  here  say  that  anything  that  lays 
in  my  power  compatible  with  the  conduct  of  a  gentleman  you  can 
command.  If  you  have  leisure,  I  should  he  most  happy  to  hear  from 
you.  You  will,  I  am  sure,  excuse  me,  if  I  disclaim  the  prefix  of  reve- 
rend to  my  name  ;  address  John  Taylor,  G-reat  Salt  Lake  City. 

I  need  not  here  assure  you  that"  personally  there  can  he  no  feelings 
of  enmity  "between  us  and  your  officers.  We  regard  you  as  the  agents 
of  the  administration  in  the  discharge  of  a  probably  unpleasant  duty, 
and  very  likely  ignorant  of  the  ultimate  designs  of  the  administration. 
As  I  left  the  east  this  summer,  you  will  excuse  me  when  I  say  I  am 
probably  better  posted  in  some  of  these  matters  than  you  are,  having 
been  one  of  a  delegation,  from  the  citizens  of  this  Territory  to  apply 
for  admission  into  the  Union.  I  can  only  regret  that  it  is  not  our 
real  enemies  that  are  here  instead  of  you.  We  do  not  wish  to  harm 
you,  or  any  of  the  command  to  which  you  belong,  and  I  can  assure 
you  that  in  any  other  capacity  than  the  one  you  now  occupy,  you 
would  be  received  as  civilly  and  treated  as  courteously  as  in  any  other 
portion  of  our  Union. 

On  my  departure  from  the  States  the  fluctuating  tide  of  popular 
opinion  against  us  seemed  to  be  on  the  wave.  By  this  time,  there 
may  be  quite  a  reaction  in  the  public  mind.  If  so  it  may  probably 
affect  materially  the  position  of  the  administration  and  tend  to  more 
constitutional,  pacific,  and  humane  measures.  In  such  an  event  our 
relative  positions  would  be  materially  changed,  and  instead  of  meeting 
as  enemies,  we  could  meet,  as  all  Americans  should,  friends  to  each 
other,  and  united  against  our  legitimate  enemies  only.  Such  an  issue 
is  devoutly  to  be  desired,  and  I  can  assure  you  that  no  one  would  more 
appreciate  so  happy  a  result  to  our  present  awkward  and  unpleasant 
position  than  yours,  truly, 

JOHN  TAYLOR. 

Captain  MARCY. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  BLACK'S  FORK, 
16  miles  from  Fort  Bridger,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City, 

November  7, 1857. 

Official:  F.  J.  PORTER, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


CAMP  ON  BLACK'S  FORK,  GREEN  RIVER,  UTAH, 

November  4,  1857. 

MAJOR  :  For  the  information  of  the  colonel  commanding,  I  have 
the  honor  to  state  that,  according  to  my  calculations,  made  from  the 
bills  of  lading  of  the  different  trains,  there  are  rations  for  2,000  men 
for  seven  months  in  the  supply  and  regimental  trains  present  at 
this  camp. 

To  make  the  calculations  accurate,  it  would  be  necessary  to  overhaul 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  63 

all  of  the  provision  trains,  in  order  to  discover  what  has  been  lost  or 
stolen  therefrom. 

I  am,  major,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  F.  CLARKE, 
Captain  and  C's  U.  IS.  Army. 

Major  F.  J.  PORTER, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General,  U.  S.  Army, 

Head  Quarters  Army  for  Utah. 


List  of  subsistence  stores  in  supply  teams  (Russell  &  Waddell's)  Nos.  5, 
9,  and  10,  burnt  by  the  Mormons  at  Green  river,  Utah,  in  the  night 
of  October  4,  1857. 

2,720  pounds  ham. 

92,700  pounds  bacon No.  of  rations,  115,875 

167,900  pounds  flour "  "         149,244 

270  bushelsbeans "  "         108,000 

8,580  pounds  Bio  coffee "  "   -     143,000 

330  pounds  Java  coffee. 
1,400  pounds  crushed  sugar. 

2,970  gallons  vinegar "  "         297,000 

800  pounds  sperm  candles "  "          80,000 

13,333  pounds  soap "  "         333,325 

84  gallons  molasses. 
134  bushels  dried  peaches. 
68,832  rations  dessicated  vegetables. 

705  pounds  tea "  "  52,875 

7,781  pounds  hard  bread "  7,781 

6  lanterns. 


H.  F.  CLARKE, 
Capt.  and  C's  U.  S.  A. 


Made  from  bills  of  lading,  October  10,  1857. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 

South  Pass,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  18,  1857. 
MAJOR  :  Accompanying  this  communication  I  send  you  two  letters 
from  Colonel  Alexander,  the  commander  at  present  of  the  main  body 
of  the  army  of  Utah.  In  his  letter  of  the  8th  October  Colonel  Alex- 
ander questions,  by  the  hesitation  with  which  he  assumes  them,  his 
right  to  exercise  fully  all  the  duties  of  commander.  His  authority  to 
exercise  them  without  restriction  is  clearly  granted  by  the  sixty-second 
article  of  war.  Moreover,  General  Orders  No.  12,  headquarters  of 
the  army.,  specially  directs  who  shall  command  in  the  absence  of 
General  Harney,  or,  to  be  inferred,  any  other  named  commander,  and 
sufficiently  explains  the  objects  of  the  expedition  ;  and  no  question 


64  UTAH  EXPEDITION. 

for  the  decision  of  the  commander,  beyond  his  ordinary  military  du- 
ties, could  arise  before  the  arrival  of  Governor  Gumming. 

Misapprehending  the  authority  with  which  he  is  invested  by  law, 
and  the  orders  of  the  general-in-chief,  that  portion  of  his  letter 
respecting  command  would  be,  if  he  was  correct  in  his  view  of  his 
own  position,  a  merited  reflection  upon  his  superiors,  and  it  is  there- 
fore that  I  have  adverted  to  it.  Pursuing  his  design  indicated  in  his 
letter  of  October  8,  he,  you  will  learn  from  his  letter  of  October  14, 
(herewith,)  has  advanced  up  Ham's  fork,  of  Green  river,  thirty- five 
miles  above  the  crossing,  (see  map  herewith,)  and  then  directs  the 
movements  to  be  made  by  his  own  immediate  command  and  the  troops 
in  his  rear,  to  form  a  junction  which,  from  erroneous  suppositions, 
would  be  wholly  impracticable.  First,  he  evidently  believes  that 
Colonel  Smith,  escorting  the  remainder  of  the  supply  trains,  (in  all 
about  nine,  including  three  sutler's  trains,)  is  advancing  on  the  Kin- 
ney  road,  or  cut-off,  with  the  force  named  in  General  Harney's  order 
of  August  18,  and  of  course  he  has  not  received  the  countermand  of 
that  order.  He  assumes  that  the  command  in  rear  is  capable  of  more 
rapid  movement  than  his  own  ;  and,  therefore,  after  waiting  one  day 
at  the  point  indicated  will  resume  his  march.  In  this  also  he  would 
have  been  disappointed,  as  the  trains  in  rear,  suffering  from  fatigue 
and  scarcity  of  sustenance,  and  without  rest,  which  the  trains  with 
him  have  had,  could  not,  if  where  he  supposed  them,  overtake  him. 

These  are  the  facts  ;  and  if  known  by  Colonel  Alexander,  his  dis- 
positions, as  determined  in  his  letter  of  October  8,  would  have  been 
wholly  different.  Colonel  Smith  is  here  at  this  camp  with  fifty  men 
of  his  regiment.  I  overtook  him  the  day  before  yesterday  (16th  inst.) 
about  twenty  miles  east  of  this,  and  have  added  my  escort,  fifteen  dis- 
mounted dragoons,  to  his  force.  Lieutenant  Smith,  in  command  of  a 
squadron  of  dragoons  and  fifty  of  the  tenth  infantry,  a  force  of  about 
two  hundred  men,  may  be  expected  here  in  four  days.  He  is  aware 
of  the  necessity  of  promptness,  and  I  am  sure  will  lose  no  time. 

Mr.  William  Magraw,  superintendent  South  Pass  wagon  road, 
with  a  patriotism  highly  creditable  to  him,  places  at  the  disposition 
of  the  government  as  many  of  his  employees  as  will  volunteer.  He 
thinks  fifty  or  sixty  will  organize,  and  I  have  agreed  to  accept  their 
service  and  have  them  mustered  in  for  three  or  six  months,  as  they 
may  elect ;  and  he  has  also  tendered  fifteen  good  teams  of  mules  and 
wagons,  which  I  have  also  accepted,  and  directed  them  to  be  receipted 
for  when  delivered.  Four  supply  trains,  containing  clothing,  (of 
which  the  troops  now  in  the  advance,  I  am  informed,  begin  to  need,) 
ordnance,  medical  and  subsistence  stores,  are  still  in  the  rear,  and 
may  be  expected  in  two  or  three  days.  The  storm  of  last  night  may 
have  destroyed  some  of  their  oxen,  and  on  that  account  there  may  be 
more  delay  than  I  estimate.  Eleven  mules  of  Colonel  Smith's  train 
perished  from  cold  last  night.  The  thermometer  this  morning  at 
sunrise  was  at  16°.  The  sky  is  now  clear,  and  the  thermometer  at 
one  o'clock  stands  at  34°,  and  the  small  quantity  of  snow  that  fell 
during  the  night  is  melting,  so  that  the  animals  can  graze  freely.  I 
am  thus  minute,  that  the  reason  for  the  order  transmitted  to  Colonel 
Alexander  yesterday  morning  (herewith)  maybe  fully  comprehended. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION,  65 

His  intended  movements,  if  met  with  opposition,  would  have  so 
retarded  his  march  as  to  have  made  it  impracticable  ;  and  would  have 
so  probably  entangled  him  in  the  midst  of  the  deep  snow  of  the  val- 
ley of  Bear  river,  which,  I  understand,  never  fails  to  fall  there,  and 
usually  early  in  the  season,  as  to  place  him  beyond  the  means  of  ex- 
trication. Our  most  potent  enemy  at  present  is  the  snow,  and  consti- 
tutes at  present  our  chief  embarrassment.  The  movement  of  Colonel 
Alexander,  if  effected  (for  the  reasons  I  have  mentioned,  and  of  which 
he  could  not  be  apprised,)  would  have'  separated  him  from  supplies 
indispensable  to  the  comfort  and  safety  of  the  army,  and  deprived 
him  of  the  assistance  of  the  force  which  will  be  concentrated  here  in 
a  few  days,  which,  however  small,  being  partly  of  cavalry,  is  of  vital 
importance.  In  ordering  Colonel  Alexander  to  the  mouth  of  Fonte- 
nelle  creek,  a  position  about  thirty  miles  from  his  camp  on  Ham's 
fork,  I  did  so  with  the  design  of  making  a  junction  practicable.  It 
is  about  seventy  miles  hence,  and  he  can  reach  it  by  a  good  road,  and 
without  any  danger  of  surprise.  There  is  there  abundance  of  grass, 
and  it  is  a  point  from  which  I  can  reach  the  region  I  intend  to  occupy 
this  winter  without  risking  the  loss  of  our  animals.  As  soon  as  the 
snow  falls  sufficiently  on  Green  river  to  prevent  the  burning  of  the 
grass,  I  will  march  to  Henry's  fork,  and  occupy  that  valley  during 
the  winter.  It  is  a  commanding  position,  and  accessible  two  months 
earlier  for  reinforcements  and  supplies  by  Cheyenne  Pass  than  by  any 
other,  and  will  enable  me  to  march  by  Fort  Bridger,  and  on  the  most 
direct  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  as  soon  as  practicable  in  the  spring. 

At  this  position,  also,  Colonel  Cooke  can  join,  which  I  still  entertain 
the  hope  he  will  be  able  to  do. 

I  greatly  regret  that  the  impossibility  of  concentrating  the  troops 
destined  for  this  service,  and  their  supplies,  will  prevent  a  forward 
movement  before  spring.  It  is  now  manifest  that  before  the  force 
can  be  united  that  the  autumn  will  be  too  far  advanced  to  move  with 
a  probability  of  success,  though  not  opposed  by  the  Mormons. 

You  are  already  apprised  by  the  proclamation  of  Brigham  Young, 
and  his  letter  to  Colonel  Alexander,  which  I  transmitted  on  the  15th 
inst.,  of  the  political  attitude  assumed  by  the  Mormons,  and  the 
resistance  they  meditate  to  the  just  authority  the  government  desires 
to  exercise  in  that  Territory,  and  the  general-in-chief  has  no  doubt 
already  considered  the  necessity  of  a  conquest  of  those  traitorous  peo- 
ple, and  has  estimated  the  force  necessary  to  accomplish  the  object. 
With  a  full  view  of  the  whole  subject  before  him,  his  great  experience 
would  not  be  benefitted  by  any  suggestions  of  mine.  I  will,  how- 
ever, mention,  that  unless  a  large  force  is  sent  here,  from  the  nature 
of  the  country,  that  a  protracted  war  on  their  part  is  inevitable. 

The  great  distance  from  our  source  of  supply  makes  it  impracticable 
to  operate  with  a  small  force.  It,  in  fact,  requires  the  employment 
of  such  force  to  guard  numerous  trains  of  supplies,  leaving  but  a 
small  portion,  if  any,  for  offensive  operations.  A  movement  of  troops 
from  California,  Oregon,  and  by  this  route  would  terminate  a  war 
with  the  Mormons  speedily,  and  more  economically  than  if  attempted 
by  insufficient  means.  In  five  or  six  days  I  think  we  will  have  all 
the  force  available  here  for  a  forward  movement.  By  that  time  the 
H.  Ex.  Doc.  11 5 


66  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

trains  will  be  all  up  ;  they  should  be  here  sooner.  In  twelve  days 
from  this  time  I  expect  to  join  Colonel  Alexander  at  or  near  Fonte- 
nelle  creek. 

The  general  may  be  assured  that  no  retrograde  movement  will  be 
made  by  this  force. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Col.  2d  cavalry,  Commanding  Army  of  Utah. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  BLACK'S  FORK, 
16  miles  from  Fort  Bridger,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City, 

November  7,  1857. 
.Official. 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


CAMP  ON  HAM'S  FORK,  U.  T., 

October  18,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  me  to  inform  you  that  there 
is  no  clothing  with  this  command.  The  soldiers  are  now  nearly  des- 
titute, as  they  left  Fort  Leavenworth  with  but  a  limited  supply,  and 
have  gotten  but  little  since.  It  is  presumed  that  there  is  a  large  sup- 
ply in  the  trains  with  you.  Please  bring  up  with  you  a  few  wagon 
loads  of  socks,  flannel  drawers  and  shirts,  shoes  and  blankets.  These 
articles  are  indispensable  to  the  comforts  of  the  soldiers. 

We  have  but  few  medicines  with  us  of  any  description.  If  you 
have  a  medical  officer  with  you,  direct  him  to  make  such  a  selection 
as  he  may  deem  proper  for  the  wants  of  this  command,  and  bring 
them  with  you  if  possible. 

Should  the  commanding  officer  of  the  expedition  come  on  in  advance 
of  you,  please  inform  him  of  this  state  of  affairs. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  H.  DICKERSON, 
Captain  and  Assistant  Quartermaster. 
Colonel  C.  F.  SMITH, 

Commanding  Battalion  10th  Infantry. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  FOR  UTAH, 
Camp  on  Nam's  Fork,  October  18,  1857. 

COLONEL  :  In  view  of  the  lateness  of  the  season,  and  the  severity 
with  which  the  winter  has  already  set  in,  as  well  as  the  deficiency  of 
supplies  of  clothing,  forage,  and  provisions,  it  becomes  necessary  to 
place  the  troops  in  winter  quarters. 

The  best  available  place  for  this  is  on  Henry's  fork,  and  the  column 
will  march  to-day  down  this  stream,  (Ham's  fork,)  towards  Fort 
Bridger,  and  thence  to  Henry's  fork.  It  will  require  about  nine 
days  to  make  the  journey,  and  as  soon  as  I  can  get  matters  in  train 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  67 

for  wintering,  I  will  send  you  two  companies,  (about  130  men,)  and 
such  additional  transportation  as  I  can  furnish  to  bring  your  trains 
on  to  us.  Use  every  effort  to  bring  on  the  trains,  as  not  a  wagon  can 
be  spared  ;  a  ad  from  the  nature  of  that  country,  (Henry's  fork,)  we 
may  have  to  remain  there  until  May  next.  Mr.  Fickling  will  tell 
you  how  we  are  off,  and  can  take  you  by  the  best  route  to  Henry's 
fork. 

Send  on  first  the  wagons  containing  clothing  and  medicines,  which 
are  much  needed.  We  have  provisions  for  three  or  four  months,  but 
we  still  require  all  that  can  be  got  up.  If  the  governor,  or  General 
Harney,  or  Colonel  Johnston  are  anywhere  near  you,  please  commu- 
nicate with  them,  and  tell  them  the  disposition  to  be  made  of  the 
troops.  Nothing  causes  me  such  poignant  regret  as  to  be  obliged  to 
give  up  my  design  of  penetrating  to  Salt  Lake  City.  But  the  odds 
against  me  are  too  powerful,  and  the  lives  of  all  require  me  to  move  to 
Henry's  fork  to  winter. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 

Colonel  Commanding. 

P.  S. — When  I  leave  Ham's  fork  to  go  to  Fort  Bridger,  I  will  try 
and  send  a  detachment  to  you  to  assist  in  guarding  the  trains.  This 
will  be  about  the  23d  or  24th.  Please  keep  this,  as  there  is  not  time 
to  take  a  copy. 

E.  B.  A. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  SOUTH  PASS, 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  24,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  me  to  acknowledge  the  re- 
ceipt of  your  communications  of  the  18th  and  22d  instants,  and  to 
inform  you  that  Lieutenant  Smith,  2d  dragoons,  will  reach  this  point 
on  Monday,  with  two  companies  of  his  regiment,  and  a  detachment  of 
the  tenth  infantry.  The  next  morning  this  command  and  all  the 
supply  trains  will  move  on  the  direct  road  to  the  crossing  at  Ham's 
fork,  whence  the  colonel  commanding  wishes  you  to  march  and  camp 
at  some  suitable  point  below  the  crossing  on  Black's  fork. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


HEADQUARTERS  ADVANCE  OF  THE  ARMY  FOR  UTAH, 

Camp  on  Ham's  Fork,  October  22,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  my  command  is  now  encamped 
on  Ham's  fork,  about  16  miles  above  the  crossing  of  the  Fort  Bridger 
road,  and  near  the  point  where  the  route  to  Fontenelle  creek  leaves 
this  stream  and  takes  across  the  prairie.  When  I  received  your  letter 


68  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

by  Eli  Dufour,  I  was  already  a  day's  march  below  the  crossing  of 
Ham's  fork  by  the  Sublette  road,  having  been  obliged  to  return  to 
seek  winter  quarters. 

The  road  from  here  to  Fontenelle  creek  will  be  more,  I  am  afraid, 
than  my  teams  can  stand,  and  if  it  does  not  interfere  with  the  plans 
of  the  colonel  commanding,  I  would  respectfully  suggest  that  they  be 
spared  the  travel  across,  (30  miles.)  As  long  as  I  am  on  a  stream  I 
can  get  along,  because,  no  matter  how  short  the  march,  I  can  always 
get  grass  and  water  ;  but  to  attempt  30  miles  with  only  one  watering 
place,  will,  in  my  opinion,  prove  fatal  to  the  artillery  horses  and  a 
great  many  of  the  mules  and  oxen.  I  request,  therefore,  to  be  in- 
formed, as  soon  as  possible,  whether  I  am  to  await  the  colonel  on  this 
creek,  going  slowly  down  it,  or  to  make  the  march  to  Fontenelle 
creek  at  all  risks. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 
Colonel  IQth  Infantry,  Commanding. 
Major  F.  J.  PORTER, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  ) 

Territory  of  Utah,  Green  River  County,  \  ss' 

The  United  States  of  America  to  B.  F.  Ficklin,  marshal  pro  tern,  of 
said  Territory,  Greeting: 

You  are  hereby  commanded  to  take  William  Stowell  and  him  safely 
keep,  so  that  you  have  his  body  before  the  district  court  of  the  United 
States  for  the  county  aforesaid,  at  the  next  term  thereof  to  be  h olden, 
then  and  there  to  answer  to  the  United  States  aforesaid  on  the  charge 
of  treason  against  the  same,  and  on  such  other  charge  or  charges  as 
may  be  found  against  him  by  the  grand  jury  of  the  county  aforesaid, 
at  the  next  session  thereof  hereafter  to  be  holden. 

And  of  this  writ  make  due  service  and  return  according  to  law. 
Witness,  Albert   G.  Brown,  jr.,  clerk  pro  tern,  of  said  court,  with 
the  adopted  seal  of  said  court,  at  headquarters  of  the  army  of 
[L.  s.]    Utah,  on  Black's  fork  of  Green  river,  in  said  county,  on  the 
seventh  day  of  November,  in  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and 
fifty-seven. 

ALBERT  G.  BROWN,  JR., 

Clerk  pro  tern. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  SOUTH  PASS, 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  18,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  am  directed  to  inform  you  that  the  army  of  Utah  will  winter 
on  Henry's  fork  of  Green  river,  whence  a  good  practicable  road  exists 
from  Black's  fork,  and  where  the  colonel  commanding  hopes  to  see 
you  and  your  command. 

The  opposition  to  the  advance  of  this  army  and  the  injuries  com- 


OTAH   EXPEDITION.  69 

mitted  to  our  trains,  cause  the  absence  of  cavalry  to  be  very  much 
lamented,  while  the  mounted  forces  which  hang  upon  our  own  skirts 
promise  occupation  and  distinction  to  your  command. 

Upon  hearing  of  your  progress,  communication  will  be  kept  up 

with  you,  and  the  best  route  for  you  to  pursue  indicated,  if  there  is 

any  choice.     The  colonel  commanding  will  be  much  pleased  to  hear 

of  your  advance,  and  promises  you  a  warm  welcome  on  your  arrival. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Lieut.  Col.  P.  ST.  GEORGE  COOKE, 

Commanding  2d  Dragoons,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  SOUTH  PASS, 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  19,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  portion  of  this  army  and  the  supply  train  not  with  the 
advance  under  Colonel  Alexander,  are  in  the  South  Pass  awaiting 
your  arrival  to  join  the  main  body.  The  bearer  of  this,  John  C.  Fer- 
guson, will  inform  you  of  our  position.  The  cplonel  commanding 
desires  you  to  join  him  as  early  as  practicable,  and  to  hasten  on  all 
trains  loaded  with  supplies  as  you  overtake  them.  In  the  mean  time 
if  you  have  the  means  of  communicating  with  us,  it  is  very  desirable 
you  should  do  so,  that  the  colonel  commanding  may  know  when  to 
expect  you,  though  it  is  hoped  you  will  reach  this  point  to-morrow. 
I  am  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
First  Lieutenant  W.  D.  SMITH, 

Commanding  2d  Dragoons,  &c.,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  SOUTH  PASS, 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  22,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  you  have  thoroughly  re- 
paired, and  each  supplied  with  a  four-mule  team,  harness  &c.,  two  of 
the  light  ambulances  turned  over  to  the  acting  assistant  quartermaster 
at  Fort  Laramie  by  Lieutenant  Lucius  L.  Rich,  and  have  them  sent 
as  soon  as  practicable  to  Fort  Kearny. 

The  remainder  of  those  ambulances  he  directs  to  be  kept  in  readi- 
ness and  to  be  employed,  when  occasion  requires,  for  transporting 
the  mail,  or  its  escort,  or  both,  to  these  headquarters  and  to  Fort 
Kearny,  and  for  other  important  occasions  requiring  small  escorts  and 
despatch. 

I  am  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
COMMANDING  OFFICER, 

Fort  Laramie,  N.  T. 


70  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  SOUTH  PASS, 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  19,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  me  to  inform  you,  in  reply  to 
your  letter  of  to-day,  that  no  goods  or  supplies  of  any  kind  will  be 
permitted  to  pass  this  army  for  Salt  Lake  City,  or  other  point  occu- 
pied "by  the  Mormons,  so  long  as  they  maintain  a  hostile  attitude  to 
the  government  of  the  United  States. 

I  am  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

m  F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
J.  C.  IRWIN,  Esq., 

Contractor 'and  sub-contractor  with  Messrs.  Livingston  &  Kin- 
cade,  and  J.  &  R.  Porter,  South  Pass,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  SOUTH  PASS, 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  21,  1857. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  me  to  inform  you 
that  no  goods  or  supplies  of  any  kind  will  he  permitted  to  pass  this 
army  for  Salt  Lake  City,  or  other  point  occupied  by  the  Mormons,  and 
that  he  forbids  all  intercourse  whatever  with  them,  so  long  as  they 
maintain  a  hostile  feeling  to  the  government  of  the  United  States. 
I  am  gentlemen,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Messrs.  WILLIAM  GERRICH  &  Co.,  or  their  Agent, 

Merchants  at  Salt  Lake  City,  South  Pass,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  SOUTH  PASS, 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  19,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  a  ration  of  bread  and 
bacon  be  issued  to  fourteen  men  discharged  from  the  wagon  road  party, 
under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Wm.  M.  F.  Magraw. 

I  am  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
First  Lieutenant  J.  McNAB,  A.  A.  C.  S., 

10th  Infantry,  South  Pass,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  SOUTH  PASS, 

En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  20,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  you  supply  ten  days' 
rations  of  hard  bread,  bacon,  coffee,  and  sugar,  to  fourteen  men  dis- 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  71 

charged  from  Mr.  William  F.  M.  Magraw's  South  Pass  wagon  road 
party. 

These  men  having  been  discharged  without  any  provision  for  the 
future,  and  not  heing  willing  to  employ  them,  under  the  circumstances, 
in  the  United  States  service,  the  colonel  commanding  supplies  them 
with  provisions  to  enable  them  to  reach  Fort  Laramie. 

I  am,  sir.  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant. 

F.  J.  POUTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
First  Lieutenant  JOHN  McNAB,  A.  A.  C.  S., 

IQth  Infantry,  South  Pass,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OP  UTAH,  SOUTH  PASS, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  20, 1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  you  furnish  Benjamin  F. 
Lyda,  a  discharged  man  of  the  South  Pass  wagon  road  party,  under 
the  charge  of  Mr.  William  M.  F.  Magraw,  rations  of  hard  bread, 
bacon,  sugar,  and  coffee,  for  ten  days. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

First  Lieutenant  JOHN  McNAB,  A.  A.  C.  S., 

10th  Infantry,  South  Pass,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  BLACK'S  FORK, 

3  miles  below  mouth  of  Ham's  Fork, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  4,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  you  move,  with  the  com- 
mand designated  in  special  orders  No.  41,  (accompanying,)  as  soon  in 
the  spring  as  practicable,  availing  yourself  of  the  early  grass  which 
will  be  springing  up  as  you  advance. 

The  supply  trains  for  this  army  wintering  at  your  post  will  be  pre- 
pared and  put  in  motion  at  the  same  time  and  escorted  to  these  head- 
quarters. That  you  may  not  be  tramelled  by  too  large  a  train,  and 
draw  too  heavily  on  the  resources  of  Fort  Laramie,  now  limited,  you 
will  avail  yourself  of  this  means  of  transportation  to  convey  the  regu- 
lation allowance  of  baggage  for  your  command. 

As  soon  as  your  arrival  in  this  vicinity  is  reported,  communication 
will  be  opened  for  your  advance. 

The  colonel  commanding  deems  it  unnecessary  to  warn  an  officer  of 
your  experience  and  reputation  against  any  outside  enemy,  but  he 
wishes  to  caution  you  against  the  employment — the  trusting,  in  any 
manner  whatever — of  any  member  of  the  Mormon  sect  or  pretended 
apostate  from  it.  No  objection  exists  to  their  employment  on  account 
of  their  religious  belief,  but  their  political  association. 


72  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

These  special  instructions  are  given  that  your  movement  may  receive 
as  little  publicity  as  possible. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

m  F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  WILLIAM  HOFFMAN, 

6th  Infantry ,  Commanding  Fort  Laramie,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  OF  THE  ARMY, 
New  York,  November  13,  1857. 

COLONEL  :  September  the  12th,  Colonel  Johnston  wrote  from  Fort 
Leaven  worth,  asking  that  provision  be  made  for  protecting  the  mail 
service  to  and  from  Utah  city.  This  letter  was  reforwarded  to  you 
endorsed  as  follows  : 

"  Respectfully  forwarded  to  the  Adjutant  General,  who  is  requested 
to  have  it  referred  to  the  Postmaster  General  to  ascertain  what  mail 
service  is  to  be  performed  between  Fort  Leavenworth  and  Salt  Lake 
City,  and  under  what  circumstances  and  conditions." 

No  answer  has  yet  been  received.  With  the  last  despatches  from 
Colonel  Johnston,  came  letters  from  himself  and  staff  to  their  families, 
sent  under  cover  to  me  as  the  "  only  safe  means"  of  transmitting 
them.  Word  was  also  sent  that  despatches  would  reach  them  if  sent 
by  express  from  Fort  Leavenworth  to  Colonel  Hoffman,  commanding 
at  Fort  Laramie?  I  am  instructed  by  the  general-in-chief  to  call  at- 
tention to  Colonel  Johnston's  letter  and  to  the  endorsement  thereon, 
and  to  ask  that  the  subject  be  pressed  upon  the  Postmaster  General ; 
for  if  the  mails  are  not  to  be  sent,  the  general  will  have  to  give 
instructions  that  a  military  express  be  kept  up  at  proper  intervals 
between  the  frontiers  and  the  army  for  Utah  and  he  wishes  to  take 
measures  one  way  or  the  other  at  once. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

IRVIN  MCDOWELL, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Colonel  SAMUEL  COOPER, 

Adjutant  General,  Washington,  D.  C. 


HEADQUARTERS,  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Junction  of  Smith's  Fork  and  Black's  Fork, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  13,  1857. 
SIR  :  The  regulations  in  the  case  of  private  Edward  Farrell  of  your 
company,  reported  in  your  letter  of  the  18th  ultimo,  as  transferred 
to  company  "  A"  6th  infantry,  not  having  been  complied  with,  the 
colonel  commanding,  disapproves  of  the  transfer  and  directs  that  he 
be  borne  upon  the  rolls  as  a  member  of  your  company. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  73 

You  are  directed  to  furnish  the  commander  of  your  regiment  with 
a  copy  of  this  communication. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Captain  RENNSALER  W.  FOOTE, 

Commanding  company  UC,"  Qth  Infantry,  Fort  Laramie,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Junction  of  Smith's  and  Ham's  Fork, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  13,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  you  cause  to  he  pushed 
forward  to  these  headquarters  at  Fort  Bridger,  as  soon  as  practicable, 
a  train  of  30  pack  mules  loaded  with  salt.  Your  knowledge  of  the 
country,  and  of  the  persons  you  will  employ,  will  guide  you  in  the 
route  to  be  taken. 

In  making  your  preparations  for  moving  in  the  spring,  the  colonel 
wishes  you  to  take  into  consideration,  the  route  up  the  Laramie  river, 
with  the  view  of  reaching  this  force  at  the  earliest  moment  with  the 
supply  trains,  time  being  the  principal  element  to  consider  in  your 
movement.  As  soon  as  Cololonel  Gooke  arrives,  Jeanise,  or  some 
other  reliable  person,  will  be  sent  over  that  route  to  report  to  you  the 
probabilities  of  success,  the  difficulties  to  be  overcome,  the  advantages 
of  grass,  and  to  be  a  guide  in  case  you  deem  it  advisable  to  move  in 
that  direction.  It  is  hoped  you  may  be  able  to  arrive  here  a  month 
earlier  than  by  the  Oregon  and  California  route,  South  Pass,  sending 
some  of  your  troops  in  advance  to  make  or  repair  the  road.  It  is  in- 
ferred from  present  information,  that  a  practicable  road  exists,  and  that 
probably  the  principal  difficulties  to  overcome  will  be  the  cutting 
down  banks  and  making  bridges.  The  guide  who  passes  over  it  will 
examine  the  obstacles. 

If  you  have  sufficient  information  to  decide,  this  route  is  sug- 
gested as  one  for  the  pack  train,  as  the  grass  is  very  scarce  on  this,  and 
on  the  other  it  has  not  been  injured. 

The  colonel  commanding  also  suggests  that  the  animals  be  not 
loaded  heavier  than  one  hundred  pounds.  There  is  no  salt  with  this 
army. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Bv't  Lieut.  Col.  WILLIAM  HOFFMAN, 

Commanding  Fort  Laramie,  N.   T. 

P.  S. — Whichever  route  you  take  will  require  boats  or  rafts  to  enable 
you  to  cross  the  principal  streams,  the  colonel  commanding  therefore 
suggests,  that  you  bring  with  you  wagons  of  corrogated  iron,  if  you 
have  them  or  can  procure  them  in  time ;  if  not,  sufficient  timber  to 
make  a  boat  of  sufficient  dimensions  to  cross  your  stores. 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


74  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  CAMP  SCOTT, 

Near  Fort  Bridger,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City, 

November  19,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  you  to  take  forty  good  six 
mule  teams  from  the  train  of  this  army,  and  proceed  to  the  junction 
of  Black's  and  Ham's  fork,  collecting  all  abandoned  wagons. 

Arriving  there,  you  will  tender,  in  his  name,  (that  of  government,) 
to  Messrs.  Gerrisli  &  Radford,  merchants  and  sutlers  to  this  army, 
your  train  to  assist  in  transporting  to  this  camp  their  most  valuable 
goods  and  merchandize,  especially  those  of  a  perishable  nature,  and 
most  serviceable  to  the  Mormons,  as  clothing,  groceries,  &c. 

I  am  instiucted  to  caution  you  not  to  permit  your  wagons  to  be 
heavily  loaded,  nor  to  make  long  marches. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
2d  Lieutenant  L.  L.  RICH, 

bih  Infantry,  A.  A.  Q.  M. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  CAMP  SCOTT, 
Near  Fort  Bridger,  U.  T. ,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City, 

November  19,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that,  with  forty  men  of  your 
command,  supplied  with  ten  days'  rations,  you  proceed  to  the  camp 
on  or  near  Ham's  fork,  about  thirty  miles  distant,  of  Messrs.  Gerrish 
&  Radford,  merchants  and  sutlers  to  this  army,  and  escort  to  this 
camp  so  much  of  their  trains  as  can  be  moved.  Should  you  meet  a 
portion  of  the  moveable  train,  you  will  unite  the  whole  of  it,  and  keep 
it  united,  and  not  permit  your  command  to  be  divided  more  than  is 
necessary  to  guard  the  column 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
2d  Lieut.  HENRY  B.  LIVINGSTON, 

Com'g  company  E,  2d  Dragoons,  Camp  Scott,  U.  I. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  CAMP  SCOTT, 
Near  Fort  Bridger,  U.  T. ,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City, 

November  19,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that,  as  medical  director, 
you  have  requisitions  made  upon  the  assistant  quartermaster  for  the 
camp  and  garrison  equipage,  &c.,  to  establish  hospitals  for  the  differ- 
ent regiments  and  batteries,  and  that  you  make  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments to  establish  and  complete  a  general  hospital,  such  as  you  deem 
necessary  for  the  command. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  75 

Assistant  Surgeon  Ridgely  has  been  directed  to  forward  his  requsi- 
tions  to  you. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  POUTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Surgeon  MADISON  MILLS, 

Medical  Director  Army  of  Utah. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  CAMP  SCOTT, 
Near  Fort  Bridger,  U.  T.,  en  route  to  Salt  Lake  City, 

November  19,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  you  proceed  with  your 
company,  as  escort  to  the  train  of  Lieut.  Lucius  L.  Rich,  A.  A.  Q. 
M.,  charged  with  collecting  all  abandoned  wagons  between  this  point 
and  Ham's  fork,  and  bringing  to  this  camp  a  portion  of  the  goods  of 
Messrs.  Gilbert  &  Radford. 

A  copy  of  Lieut.  Rich's  instructions  are  enclosed.  You  will  supply 
your  men  with  rations  for  ten  days. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Lieut.  C.  H.  TYLER, 

Com'g  Company  H,  2d  Dragoons,  Camp  Scott,  U.  T. 


To  the  People  of  Utah  Territory. 

GREEN  RIVER  COUNTY,  NEAR  FORT  BRIDGER, 

Utah  Territory,  2lst  November,  1857. 

On  the  llth  of  July,  1857,  the  President  appointed  me  to  preside 
over  the  executive  department  of  this  Territory.  I  arrived  at  this 
point  on  the  19th  of  this  month,  and  shall  probably  be  detained  some 
time,  in  consequence  of  the  loss  of  animals  during  the  recent  snow 
storm.  I  will  proceed  at  this  point  to  make  the  preliminary  arrange- 
ments for  the  temporary  organization  of  the  territorial  government. 

Many  treasonable  acts  of  violence  having  been  committed  by  law- 
less individuals,  supposed  to  have  been  countenanced  by  the  late  ex- 
ecutive, such  persons  are  in  a  state  of  rebellion.  Proceedings  will  be 
instituted  against  them  in  a  court  organized  by  Chief  Justice  Eckels, 
held  in  this  county,  which  will  supersede  the  necessity  of  appointing 
a  military  commission  for  the  trial  of  such  offenders.  It  is  my  duty 
to  enforce  unconditional  obedience  to  the  Constitution,  to  the  organic 
laws  of  this  Territory,  and  to  all  the  other  laws  of  Congress  applicable 
to  you.  To  enable  me  to  effect  this  object,  I  will,  in  the  event  of  re- 
sistance, rely,  first  upon  a  posse  comitatus  of  the  well  disposed  portion 
of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Territory,  and  will  only  resort  to  a  military 
posse  in  case  of  necessity.  I  trust  that  this  necessity  will  not  occur. 

I  come  among  you  with  no  prejudices  or  enmities,  and,  by  the  exer- 
cise of  a  just  and  firm  administration,  I  hope  to  command  your  con- 


76  UTAH  EXPEDITION. 

fidence.  Freedom  of  conscience,  and  the  use  of  your  own  peculiar 
mode  of  serving  God,  are  sacred  rights  guarantied  by  the  Constitution, 
with  which  it  is  not  the  province  of  the  government,  or  the  dispo- 
sition of  its  representatives  in  this  Territory,  to  interfere. 

In  virtue  of  my  authority  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  militia  of 
this  Territory,  I  hereby  command  all  armed  bodies  of  individuals,  by 
whomsoever  organized,  to  disband  and  return  to  their  respective 
homes.  The  penalty  of  disobedience  to  this  command,  will  subject 
the  offenders  to  the  punishment  due  to  traitors. 

A.  GUMMING, 
Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 


GREEN  EIVER  COUNTY,  NEAR  FORT  BRIDGER, 

Utah  Territory,  2lst  November,  1857. 

On  the  llth  of  July,  1857",  I  was  appointed  by  the  President  to  be 
governor  of  this  Territory.  Since  my  arrival  within  the  limits  of  the 
Territory  I  regret  to  have  found  that  many  acts  of  violence  have  been 
committed  on  the  highway,  in  the  destruction  and  robbery  of  property 
belonging  to  the  United  States.  These  acts,  which  indicate  that  the 
Territory  is  in  a  state  of  rebellion,  are  ascribed,  how  truly  I  d^>  not 
know,  to  yourself.  A  proclamation  purporting  to  have  issued  from 
you,  and  papers  signed  by  your  authority,  found  upon  the  person  of 
Joseph  Taylor,  have  been  submitted  to  my  inspection.  The  matter 
contained  in  these  papers  authorizes  and  commands  violent  and  treason- 
able acts  ;  acts  tending  to  the  disruption  of  the  peace  of  the  Terri- 
tory, and  which  subject  their  actors  to  the  penalties  accorded  to 
traitors.  If  these  papers  referred  to  be  not  authentic,  I  trust  you 
will  promptly  disavow  them.  I  herewith  enclose  a  copy  of  my  procla- 
mation to  the  people  of  Utah.  You  will  oblige  me  by  acknowledging 
the  receipt  of  this  by  the  returning  messengers. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

•      A.  CUMMING, 
Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Ex-Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  Utah  Territory,  November  30,  185 7. 
SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  following 
communications  since  October  21,  1857,  viz  : 
Special  orders,  Nos.  131  and  132. 
Letters  dated  September  7,  8,  17,  and  18,  1857. 
In  my  letter  of  October  21st  ultimo,  an  error  was  committed  in 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  77 

acknowledging  the  receipt  of  an  ordnance  manuel,  and  an  ordnance 
regulation.  They  were  not  received,  and  I  have  to  request  that  copies 
of  them  may  be  forwarded  to  me. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  Second  Cavalry,  Commanding* 
ADJUTANT  GENERAL  UNITED  STATES  ARMY, 

Washington ,  D.  C. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH,  CAMP  SCOTT, 
Near  Fort  Bridger,  Black's  Fork,  Green  river, 

November  30,  1857. 

MAJOR  :  Since  my  last  report  the  troops  and  all  the  supply  trains 
have  arrived  at  this  place  and  will  remain  here,  or  in  this  district, 
during  the  winter.  In  effecting  the  march  from  near  the  junction  of 
Ham's  and  Black's  forks  of  Green  river,  a  distance  of  only  thirty-five 
miles,  the  loss  of  battery  horses,  draught  mules,  and  oxen  of  the  con- 
tractor has  been  very  great,  in  consequence  of  snow  storms  which  were 
encountered  on  the  route  and  intense  cold.  Our  marches  each  were 
necessarily  short  on  account  of  the  extreme  coldness  and  inclemency 
of  the  weather,  and  because  of  the  great  number  of  miles  on  the  road 
occupied  by  the  supply  trains  and  others,  and  the  failing  condition  of 
the  draught  animals  starving  from  cold  and  hunger,  were  resumed 
from  each  camp  as  soon  as  the  troops  in  the  rear  and  trains  could  be 
brought  up,  allowing  a  day  or  more  at  each  camp  for  rest  and  the 
grazing  of  the  animals.  Fifteen  days  were  consumed  in  this  tedious 
operation.  Shelter  for  our  thousands  of  animals  seemed  indispensable 
for  the  preservation  of  life,  yet  a  more  rapid  advance  to  attain  it 
would,  we  believe,  be  attended  with  immense  loss.  The  snow  storms 
raged  with  short  intermissions  after  it  commenced,  for  several  days 
during  which  time  it  was  exceedingly  cold.  The  thermometer  ranged 
from  ten  degrees  above  to  sixteen  degrees  below  zero. 

If  shelter  could  have  been  found,  a  halt  till  the  storm  subsided  would 
have  been  ordered  ;  but  there  was  none.  The  country  between  this 
and  the  South  Pass,  with  the  exception  of  the  narrow  vallies  of  water 
courses,  is  a  great  desert,  affording  no  shelter  by  its  conformation  or 
by  woods,  or  even  bushes  from  the  furious  blasts  of  these  high  regions  ;. 
and  no  fuel,  except  the  wild  sage  or  willow  bushes.  There  was  no- 
alternative  but  to  press  forward  perseveringly,  though  slowly  making 
our  route  by  the  frozen  horses,  mules,  and  oxen.  A  sufficient  num- 
ber of  oxen,  though  poor,  have  been  saved  to  supply  the  meat  part  of 
ration  six  days  in  the  week,  and  we  have  on  hand  bacon  for  one  day 
in  the  week  for  seven  months,  and  also  flour  and  small  rations. — (See- 
the report  of  the  chief  commissary  of  subsistence  herewith.) 

Colonel  Cooke,  in  command  of  six  companies  2d  dragoons  arrived  on 
the  19th  instant.  You  will  learn  from  his  report  (herewith)  that  the 
storm  dealt  as  roughly  with  his  command  as  it  did  with  the  army  in 
advance.  He  lost  nearly  half  of  his  horses,  besides  a  number  of  mules. 


78  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

His  march,  from  his  report,  appears  to  have  been  conducted  with  care 
and  skill.  If  a  further  advance  of  the  army  were  otherwise  practica- 
ble and  proper  at  this  season  of  the  year,  the  necessity  of  appropriating 
the  remainder  of  the  work  oxen  for  food  for  the  troops  would  now  pre- 
vent. 

The  diminished  number  and  reduced  condition  of  the  cavalry  and 
battery  horses  and  draught  mules,  makes  a  remount  for  the  former  and 
an  additional  number  of  mules  for  the  quartermaster's  department 
indispensable.  A  further  advance  cannot  be  made  without  them.  I 
have,  therefore,  taken  measures  (see  orders  to  Captain  Marcy  and  esti- 
mates of  the  chief  quartermasters'  herewith)  to  supply  all  deficiencies. 
Captain  Marcy  has  been  despatched,  with  a  sufficient  party  suitably 
organized  and  equipped,  to  New  Mexico,  as  the  nearest  and  most  ac- 
cessible region  from  which  they  can  be  obtained  early  in  the  spring, 
with  instructions  to  purchase  the  number  required,  and  to  return  as 
soon  in  the  spring  as  he  can,  having  regard  to  the  good  condition  of 
the  horses  and  mules  ;  and  he  is  authorized  to  contract  for  a  supply  of 
salt,  of  which  we  have  none,  and  forward  it  on  his  arrival.  I  respect- 
fully request  the  sanction  of  the  general-in-chief  to  my  orders  to  Cap- 
tain Marcy,  and  that  he  will  give  instructions  to  General  Garland,  or 
commanding  officer  of  the  Department  of  New  Mexico,  to  furnish  Cap- 
tain Marcy  a  sufficient  escort  of  the  mounted  rifles  to  protect  him  from 
predatory  attacks  of  the  Indians  on  the  route  back  to  this  place.  I 
I  enclose  a  copy  of  my  letter  to  General  Garland,  making  the  request. 
The  Mormons,  before  they  retired,  burnt  the  buildings  in  and  about 
Fort  Bridger,  and  also  Fort  Supply  on  Smith's  fork,,  twelve  miles 
hence,  and  destroyed  the  grain,  and  as  far  as  they  could,  other  crops 
at  that  place.  Fort  Bridger,  so  called,  is  a  high,  well  built,  strong 
stone  wall,  enclosing  a  square  of  one  hundred  feet,  and  has  been  ap- 
propriated for  the  storage  of  the  supplies  for  the  army.  The  addition 
of  two  lunettes,  now  being  constructed,  one  on  the  southwest  corner 
and  the  other  on  the  northeast  corner  of  a  stone  enclosure  adjoining 
the  main  one,  but  not  so  high,  will  make  it  defensible  by  a  small 
force,  and  a  safe  place  of  deposit  for  the  public  property  that  may  be 
left  when  the  army  advances.  The  herds  of  mules,  battery  horses, 
and  cattle  have  been  sent  with  herdsmen  to  Henry's  fork  to  graze 
during  the  winter,  and  six  companies  of  the  2d  dragoons,  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Cooke,  have  been  ordered  to  encamp  near  them, 
and  guard  them  and  protect  the  herdsmen.  He  has  with  him  about 
two  hundred  dragoon  horses.  Two  companies  of  the  same  regiment 
are  stationed  here,  and  have  about  fifty  horses,  all  feeble,  for  want  of 
sufficient  sustenance.  In  the  spring  the  army,  with  the  volunteer 
force  included,  about  two  thousand  strong,  will  resume  their  march  as 
soon  as  a  supply  of  horses  and  mules  arrive,  and  the  grass  on  the 
mountains  shall  be  found  sufficient  to  sustain  them. 

Two  full  companies  of  volunteers  have  been  mustered  into  the  ser- 
vice for  nine  (9)  months,  and  I  expect  in  a  few  days  that  two  more 
companies  will  be  mustered  in.  They  are  young,  active,  and  hardy 
men,  generally  good  shots,,  and  with  such  instructions  as  they  will 
receive,  will  make  most  excellent  light  troops.  I  have  to  request  that 
the  emolument  of  these  men  may  be  early  made  known  to  the  Sec- 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  79 

retary  of  War,  so  that  provision  may  be  made,  by  an  appropriation 
by  Congress  for  their  payment  at  the  expiration  of  their  term  of  ser- 
vice. 

The  troops  have  borne  the  hardships  and  privations  of  the  march 
with  patience  and  cheerfulness,  and  continue  in  fine  health  ;  some  few 
of  the  different  regiments  are  still  suffering  from  frost  bite. 

Governor  Gumming  and  family,  Judge  Eckel,  the  secretary,  attor- 
ney general,  and  marshal  of  the  Territory,  and  also  Dr.  Forney,  su- 
perintendent of  Indian  affairs,  and  Dr.  Hunt,  agent,  are  encamped 
within  our  lines,  and  have  received  every  facility  and  means  to  make 
them  comfortable,  as  much  so  as  can  be  expected  under  canvas. 

I  enclose  copies  of  all  orders  given  by  me  which  will  fully  acquaint 
you  with  any  matter  omitted  in  this  communication. 
With  great  respect,,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  2d  Cavalry,  Commanding. 

Maj.  I.  McDowELL,  Assistant  Adjutant  General, 

Headquarters  of  the  Army. 

P.  S. — A  field  return  is  transmitted  herewith. 
I  beg  leave  to  ask  your  attention  to  the  absence  of  a  great  number 
of  officers  as  exhibited  by  the  return. 

Respectfully, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  %d  Cavalry,  Commanding. 


HEADQUARTERS  IOTH  REGIMENT  OF  INFANTRY, 

Camp  Winfield,  on  Ham's  Fork,  October  2,  1857. 

COLONEL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
letter  of  this  day,  and  in  reply,  I  am  directed  to  inform  you  that  this 
regiment  is  now  encamped  on  Ham's  fork  of  Green  river,  about  12 
miles  above  the  crossing  of  the  fork  by  the  road  from  Green  river  to 
Fort  Bridger. 

Captain  Phelps'  battery  is  near  us,  and  it  is  proposed  that  both  re- 
main here  until  the  commander  arrives.  Col.  Alexander  also  directs 
me  to  say,  that  he  advises  your  coming  to  this  point  and  camping  near 
him  ;  the  Mormons  are  understood  to  be  concentrating  at  Fort  Bridger, 
30  miles  from  here,  and  might  prove  disastrous  to  a  scattered  force. 
There  is  a  large  train  of  supplies  here  which  requires  protection,  and 
the  grazing  on  the  valley  of  this  fork  is  superior  to  any  we  have  found 
since  leaving  the  Sweetwater,  being  abundant  for  all  your  animals,  in 
addition  to  those  now  here  for  some  days  to  come.  Having  no  infor- 
mation of  the  position  of  Gen.  Harney,  it  is  impossible  to  say  how 
long  we  will  remain  here,  but  is  presumed  that  he  will  soon  be  here. 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  a  letter  received  to-day  from  Gov.  Young,  which, 
indicates  sufficiently  the  rebellious  and  hostile  disposition  of  the  Mor- 
mons, and  makes  it  probable  that  an  armed  resistance  to  further  pro- 
gress of  the  troops  will  be  attempted. 

The  distance  from   Green  river  to  the  crossing  of  Ham's  fork,  is 


80  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

22  miles,  over  a  good  road,  and  should  you  decide  to  come  on,  that 
would  be  your  first  days  march  ;  if  you  will  send  a  guide  in  advance 
when  you  march  from  Ham's  fork  crossing,  Col.  Alexander  will  be 
happy  to  send  an  officer  to  meet  yoo,  and  conduct  you  to  a  good 
camping  ground  in  our  vicinity.  There  is  no  road  up  the  fork  except 
our  wagon  trail,  and  several  crossings,  but  it  is  smooth  and  level  and 
wagons  can  be  got  up  without  difficulty. 

I  am,  colonel,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  E.  MAYNADIER, 
First  Lieut.,  and  Adjutant  Tenth  Infantry. 

P.  S. — Captain  Clarke,  A.  C.  S.,   desires  me  to  say  that  there  are 
three  supply  trains  in  your  rear,  and  he  requests  you  will  give  them 
such  protection  as  you  consider  necessary. 
Very  respectfully, 

HENRY  E.  MAYNADIER, 
First  Lieut.,  and  Adjutant  Tenth  Infantry. 


HEADQUARTERS  K)TH  REGIMENT  OF  INFANTRY, 

Camp  on  Black's  Fork,  November  17,  1857. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  my  opera- 
tions from  the  time  I  reached  the  boundary  of  the  Territory  of  Utah 
until  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Johnston  at  Black's  fork.  After  a  long 
march  on  the  26th  of  September,  1857,  I  encamped,  with  eight  com- 
panies of  the  10th  infantry,  at  the  Big  Timbers  on  Big  Sandy,  this 
being  my  first  camp  in  Utah.  On  the  27th,  I  marched  across  to 
Green  river,  and  camped  near  the  trading  house  of  one  Yates,  reach- 
ing that  point  about  half  past  eleven  a.  m.,  with  my  troops  and  trains 
very  much  exhausted  by  the  previous  three  days'  marches,  which  had 
been,  of  necessity,  very  long.  At  9  o'clock  a.  m.  on  the  27th,  an  ex- 
press had  been  sent  to  Ham's  fork  to  Lieutenant  Deshler,  who  was 
left  by  Captain  Van  Vliet  at  the  rendezvous  of  the  supply  trains  with 
a  small  guard.  An  answer  from  Lieutenant  Deshler  was  received  at 
4^  p.  in.  on  the  27th,  stating  that  he  was  in  no  immediate  apprehen- 
sion of  being  molested,  and  thought  he  could  abide  the  arrival  of  the 
troops,  without  being  immediately  reinforced.  I  felt  much  relieved 
by  this  statement,  but  upon  further  reflection,  I  determined  to  fore- 
stall any  attempt  of  the  Mormons,  by  a  change  in  the  usual  hour  of 
march,  thinking  that  they  would  count  upon  my  taking  two  days  to 
go  from  Green  river  to  Ham's  fork,  or  at  least  that  I  could  not  reach 
there  until  late  in  the  evening,  if  I  went  in  one.  I  accordingly  struck 
camp  at  12  o'clock  on  the  night  of  the  27th,  and  set  out  for  Ham's 
fork.  At  7  a.  m.  on  the  28th  I  came  in  sight  of  the  trains,  and  by 
11  the  regiment  was  camped  near  them,  guards  and  pickets  established, 
and  everything  prepared  for  defence.  I  have  since  learned  that  a 
party  of  Mormons  had  determined  to  attack  Lieut.  Deshler,  and  destroy 
the  trains  on  that  day,  and  were  prevented  by  the  arrival  of  the  troops 
about  seven  hours  earlier  than  they  anticipated. 

A  few  days  after  1  reached  Ham's  fork,  I  received  a  letter  from 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  81 

Brevet  Colonel  Waite,  commanding  the  5th  infantry,  stating  that  he 
was  at  Green  river,  and  asking  advice  as  to  his  remaining  there  or 
coming  on.  I  advised  him  to  come  to  Ham's  fork,  as  the  grazing 
was  very  fine,  and  I  knew  there  was  but  little  at  Green  river. 

Captain  Phelps'  battery  had  come  up  with  me  on  the  29th  of  Sep- 
tember, and  on  the  5th  of  October  the  5th  infantry  and  Reno's  battery 
arrived.  On  the  morning  of  the  5th  I  received  information  that  three 
supply  trains,  which  had  been  marching  in  rear  some  distance,  since 
leaving  Fort  Leavenworth,  without  reference  to  protection  from  troops, 
had  been  burnt.  On  the  7th  of  October  I  despatched  two  companies 
under  Captain  Marcy,  5th  infantry,  to  Green  river,  to  collect  and  bring 
up  what  was  serviceable  of  the  contents  of  the  burnt  trains.  This 
service  was  well  and  promptly  executed.  Having,  on  the  5th  of  Octo- 
ber, assumed  command  of  the  troops  near  me,  I  determined  to  march 
up  Ham's  fork,  where  I  would  be  in  a  position  to  reach  Fort  Bridger 
as  near  as  from  the  crossing,  or  to  go  into  the  valley  of  Bear  river,  and, 
by  way  of  Soda  Spring  and  the  Malade  river,  to  Salt  Lake  City.  This 
route  gave  me  the  alternative  of  choosing  at  Soda  Spring  whether  I 
would  continue  towards  the  city  or  go  to  Snake  river  to  winter,  accord- 
ing to  what  might  be  learned  relative  to  the  power  of  the  Mormons, 
the  state  of  my  supplies,  and  the  nature  of  the  season.  I  was  under 
the  impression  at  this  time  that  Brevet  Colonel  Smith,  who  was  in 
command  of  the  only  force  I  had  any  knowledge  of,  could  join  me  on 
Bear  river  by  taking  Subletted  cut-off.  I  proceeded  up  Ham's  fork, 
marching  from  October  11  to  October  19,  making  about  35  miles,  and 
reaching  a  point  two  miles  from  the  Sublette  road.  On  the  19th  I 
ordered  a  return,  having  heard  from  Brevet  Colonel  Smith,  who  was 
so  far  in  the  rear,  and  so  much  encumbered  with  supply  trains,  that  it 
was  not  likely  he  could  join  me ;  I  was  also  actuated  in  coming  to  this 
decision  by  hearing  that  Colonel  Johnston  was  assigned  to  the  com- 
mand and  was  coming  up.  For  convenience  of  moving  and,  grazing, 
the  force  was  divided  into  three  columns,  and,  by  slow  inarches,  the 
whole  reached  Black's  fork  on  the  2d  of  November. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 
Colonel  10th  Infantry,  Commanding. 

ASSISTANT  ADJUTANT  GENERAL, 

Headquarters,  Army  of  Utah. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OP  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  near  Bridger 's  Fort, 

Black's  Fork,  November  25,  1857. 

GENERAL  :  A  large  proportion  of  cavalry  and  battery  horses  as  well 
as  many  draught  animals  of  my  command,  have  been  starved  by  the 
unprecedented  cold  weather  of  the  last  month  and  the  great  scarcity 
of  grass  on  our  route  ;  I  have  therefore  ordered  Captain  R  B.  Marcy, 
5th  United  States  infantry,  to  proceed  to  New  Mexico  to  purchase  a 
remount  for  the  dragoons  and  batteries  and  a  sufficient  number  of 
H.  Ex.  Doc.  71 6 


82  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

draught  animals  to  replace  those  which  have  died  or  heen  broken  down 
on  the  march. 

It  is  of  the  greatest  importance  that  he  should  return  to  this  pi* 
as  early  in  the  spring  as  he  can,  keeping  in  view  the  necessity 
bringing  on  the  animals  in  good  condition.  Assistance,,  such  as  you 
have  it  in  your  power  to  give  for  the  promotion  of  the  objects  which 
it  is  so  desirable  that  he  should  accomplish,  would  very  greatly  facili- 
tate his  speedy  return. 

I  have  also  to  request  that  a  squadron  of  the  rifle  regiment,  or  such 
force  as  you  may  deem  requisite,  may  be  ordered  to  give  him  protection 
on  his  route  back.  Captain  Marcy  will  give  you  the  particulars  of  our 
march,  &c. 

Wit'°.  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  2d  Cavalry,  commanding  Army  Utah. 

Brigadier  General  JOHN  GARLAND, 

Commanding  Department  New  Mexico,  Santa  Fe. 


HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  DRAGOONS, 
Camp  at  Fort  Kearney,  October  5,  1857. 

SIR:  Colonel  Johnston,  commanding,  was  well  aware  that  I  calcu- 
lated for  success  at  finding  the  depot  of  corn  on  Sweet  Water,  made  in 
August  by  Captain  Van  Vliet,  assistant  quartermaster,  and  of  renew- 
ing it  in  the  almost  certain  case  of  its  having  been  used. 

I  learn  now  from  Lieutenant  Green,  2d  dragoons,  that  there  was 
little  corn  at  Fort  Laramie  ;  but  he  met  a  very  large  train,  which  will 
probably  reach  the  fort  about  the  16th  instant. 

I  shall  reach  Fort  Laramie  the  21st  or  22d,  and  it  will  be  necessary 
to 'me  that  a  part  of  the  train  go  on  with  at  least  60,000  pounds; 
100,000  would  be  much  better. 

This  train,  preceding  me  five  or  six  days,  can  carry  this  corn  at 
least  200  miles  before  I  overtake  it ;  if  circumstances  permit,  it  will  do 
better  for  it  to  keep  on  until  overtaken,  so  that  it  do  not  go  over  300 
miles. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

P.  ST.  GEO.  COOKE, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  2d  Dragoons. 

To  COMMANDING  OFFICER  of  Fort  Laramie,  JV.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  DRAGOONS, 
Camp  above  Fallow's  Bluff,  S.  Platte,  October  12,  1857. 

MAJOR  :  I  received  this  morning  your  letters  of  October  5th  and  6th, 
(previously,  those  of  September  24  and  29,  .and  special  orders.)  Al- 
though I  marched  three  miles  from  Fort  Leavenworth  September  17, 
I  was  so  detained  by  the  quartermaster  department  in  my  outfit  that 
I  was  encamped  twenty-two  miles  from  Fort  Leavenworth  the  night 
of  the  21st.  In  consequence  of  information  received  of  Lieutenant 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  83 

Bryan,  topographical  engineers,  that  he  had  not  bridged  the  streams 
on  the  new  road,  by  Fort  Riley,  I  finally  took  the  old  route. 

I  received  from  Lieutenant  Perkins,  October  1st,  twenty-five  not 
the  "best  teams"  of  the  train  from  whence  they  came.  I  took  four- 
teen wagons  and  teams  and  exchanged  the  other  mules.  From  that 
day  until  this  we  have  had  daily  rains. 

I  arrived  at  Fort  Kearney,  near  noon,  the  5th,  and  left  there  the 
morning  of  the  7th.  Their  supply  of  corn  was  barely  what  was  needed 
for  the  road  to  Fort  Laramie,  and  there  was  a  deficiency  of  above  2,000 
rations  of  hard  bread. 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  a  letter  I  wrote  by  an  express  to  the  command- 
ing officer  of  Fort  Laramie. 

Eleven  days  of  rain,  with  very  bad  roads,  have  had  their  inevitable 
effects  upon  horses  and  mules.  I  find  I  cannot  keep  up  my  attempted 
average  of  twenty-two  miles  a  day  ;  I  shall,  perhaps,  arrive  at  Fort 
Laramie  on  the  22d  instant,  (one  day  over  my  ration  supply.) 

I  hope  to  hear  from  you  there.  Captain  Van  Vliet's  information  as 
to  the  route  was  rather  startling  ;  from  my  knowledge  of  it,  I  antici- 
pated a  possibility  of  success,  with  an  average  condition  of  the  grass. 
The  question,  I  fear,  in  spite  of  the  hopes  I  had  formed,  will  turn 
upon  this  point:  whether  it  will  be  more  important  for  the  regiment 
to  reach  the  front  (probably  not  a  theatre  of  active  operations)  with 
horses  ineffective,  or  attempt  at  Fort  Laramie  to  preserve  them  for  a 
future  day. 

I  write  this  in  anticipation  of  being  passed  by  the  mail — perhaps 
to-morrow 

I  enclose  a  field  return  for  September  ;  77  desertions  occurred*  after 
these  companies  were  organized. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

P.  ST,  GEO.  COOKE, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  2$  Dragoons,  Commanding. 

The  ASSISTANT  ADJUTANT  GENERAL. 

ARMY  OF  UTAH, 

Camp  near  Chimney  Rock,  October  18* 

P.  S. — Still  anticipating  the  mail  passing,  I  report  that  I  still  ex- 
pect to  arrive  at  Fort  Laramie  on  the  22d  instant.  I  passed  yesterday 
the  two  corn  trains,  twenty-two  days  from  Fort  Kearney,  which  the 
enclosed  letter  was  written  to  forward,  in  part,  beyond  Fort  Laramie. 
They  have  scarce  a  month's  half  forage  for  the  animals  with  me.  The 
weather  is  exceedingly  cold  ;  wind  northeast,  with  some  rain,  yes- 
terday;  northwest,  with  three  hours  snow,  to-day,  when  two  horses  and 
above  twenty  mules,  all  three-year  olds,  gave  out. 

Very  respectfully,  P.  ST.  GEO.  COOKE, 

Lieutenant  Colonel  2d  Dragoons. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  FOR  UTAH, 
Camp  on  Ham's  Fork,  October  12, 1857. 

SIR  :  Yesterday  two  young  men,  named  Hickman,  were  arrested  by 
the  rear  guard  of  the  army,  and  are  now  held  in  confinement.     They 


^  UTAH   EXPEDITION 

brought  a  letter  from  W.  A.  Hickinan  to  Mr.  Perry,  a  sutler  of  one 
of  the  regiments,  but  came  under  none  of  the  privileges  of  bearers  of 
despatches,  and  are,  perhaps,  liable  to  be  considered  and  treated  as 
spies.  But  I  am  convinced,  from  conversation  with  them,  that  their 
conduct  does  not  merit  the  serious  punishment  awarded  to  persons  of 
that  character,  and  I  have  accordingly  resolved  to  release  the  younger 
one,  especially  in  consideration  of  his  having  a  wife  and  three  children 
dependent  upon  him,  and  to  make  him  the  bearer  of  this  letter.  The 
elder  I  shall  keep  until  I  know  how  this  communication  is  received, 
and  until  I  receive  an  answer  to  it,  reserving,  even  then,  the  right  to 
hold  him  a  prisoner,  if,  in  my  judgment,  circumstances  require  it.  I 
need  hardly  assure  you  that  his  life  will  be  protracted,  and  that  he 
will  receive  every  comfort  and  indulgence  proper  to  be  afforded  him. 
I  desire  now,  sir,  to  set  before  you  the  following  facts:  the  forces 
under  my  command  are  ordered  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  to 
establish  a  military  post  at  or  near  Salt  Lake  City.  They  set  out  on 
their  long  and  arduous  march,  anticipating  a  reception  similar  to  that 
which  they  would  receive  in  any  other  State  or  Territory  in  the  Union. 
They  were  met  at  the  boundary  of  the  Territory  of  which  you  are  the 

f  over  nor,  and  in  which  capacity  alone  I  have  any  business  with  you, 
y  a  proclamation  issued  by  yourself,  forbidding  them  to  come  upon 
soil  belonging  to  the  United  States,  and  calling  upon  the  inhab- 
itants to  resist  them  with  arms.  You  have  ordered  them  to  return, 
and  have  called  upon  them  to  give  up  their  arms  in  default  of  obeying 
your  mandate.  You  have  resorted  to  open  hostilities,  and  of  a  kind, 
permit  me  to  say,  very  far  beneath  the  usages  of  civilized  warfare,  and 
only  resorted  to  by  those  who  are  conscious  of  inability  to  resist  by 
more  honorable  means,  by  authorizing  persons  under  your  control, 
some  of  the  very  citizens,  doubtless,  whom  you  have  called  to  arms, 
to  burn  the  grass,  apparently  with  the  intention  of  starving  a  few 
beasts,  and  hoping  that  men  would  starve  after  them.  Citizens  of 
Utah,  acting,  I  am  bound  to  believe,  under  your  authority,  have  de- 
stroyed trains  containing  public  stores,  with  a  similar  humane  purpose 
of  starving  the  army.  I  infer  also  from  your  communication  received 
day  before  yesterday,  refering  to  "  a  dearth  of  news  from  the  east  and 
from  home,"  that  you  have  caused  public  and  private  letters  to  be  di- 
verted from  their  proper  destination,  and  this,  too,  when  carried  by  a 
public  messenger  on  a  public  highway.  Itis  unnecessary  for  me  to  adduce 
further  instances  to  show  that  you  have  placed  yourselt,  in  your  capacity 
of  governor,  and  so  many  of  the  citizens  of  the  Territory  of  Utah  as 
have  obeyed  your  decree,  in  a  position  of  rebellion  and  hostility  to  the 
general  government  of  the  United  States.  It  becomes  you  to  look  to 
the  consequences,  for  you  must  be  aware  that  so  unequal  a  contest  can 
never  be  successfully  sustained  by  the  people  you  govern. 

It  is  my  duty  to  inform  you  that  I  shall  use  the  force  under  my 
control,  and  all  honorable  means  in  my  power,  to  obey  literally  and 
strictly  the  orders  under  which  I  am  acting.  If  you,  or  any  acting 
under  your  orders,  oppose  me,  I  will  use  force,  and  I  warn  you  that  the 
blood  that  is  shed  in  this  contest  will  be  upon  your  head.  My  means 
I  consider  ample  to  overcome  any  obstacle ;  and  I  assure  you  that  any 
idea  you  may  have  formed  of  forcing  these  troops  back,  or  of  prevent- 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  85 

ing  them  from  carrying  out  the  views  of  the  government,  will  result  in 
unnecessary  violence  and  utter  failure.  Should  you  reply  to  this  in  a 
spirit  which  our  relative  positions  give  me  a  right  to  demand,  I  will 
he  prepared  to  propose  an  arrangement  with  you.  I  have  also  the 
honor  to  inform  you  that  all  persons  found  lurking  around  or  in  any 
of  our  camps,  will  he  put  under  guard  and  held  prisoners  as  long  as 
circumstances  may  require. 

I  remain  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 
Colonel  ~LQth  Infantry,  Commanding. 
His  Excellency  BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  FOR  UTAH, 
Camp  on  Ham's  Fork,  October  18,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
the  14th  instant.  I  learn  "by  the  hearers  that  it  is  not  an  answer  to 
one  from  me  sent  to  you  hy  Mr.  T.  J.  Hickman.  It  is  not  within  my 
province  to  disahuse  you  of  the  idea  that  the  army  of  the  United  States 
can  ever  he  used  to  oppress  the  citizens  of  the  country,  or  to  perform 
any  other  duty  than  to  protect  all  law-abiding  persons  in  their  pur- 
suits and  property.  I  may  assert  that  the  acts  of  which  you  complain 
on  the  part  of  certain  officials  in  your  Territory,  could  never  have  been 
committed  had  there  been  an  officer  or  a  regiment  of  troops  near 
enough  to  prevent  it.  It  is  no  part  of  the  duty,  and  still  less  of  the 
wishes  of  any  one  connected  with  this  force  to  interfere  in  any  way  with 
the  religion  of  the  people  of  Utah,  whether  they  are  members  of  the 
Mormon  church,  or  worship  under  the  forms  of  any  church.  But  there 
are  certain  duties  incumbent  upon  every  man  intrusted  with  a  military 
commission  and  command,  and  the  first  is  obedience  of  orders  under 
all  circumstances  short  of  impossibility.  I  repeat  my  earnest  desire 
to  avoid  violence  and  bloodshed,  and  it  will  require  positive  resistance 
to  force  me  to  it.  But  my  troops  have  the  same  right  of  self-defence 
that  you  claim,  and  it  rests  entirely  with  you  whether  they  are  driven 
to  the  exercise  of  it. 

In  my  letter,  sent  by  Mr.  Hickman,  I  set  forth  fully  the  position  on 
which  you  and  the  people  of  Utah,  or  at  least  part  of  them,  have  be- 
come placed,  and  I  stated  my  willingness  to  make  an  arrangement 
with  you  on  other  terms  than  those  of  battle.  I  await  your  reply, 
and  urge  you  again  to  stop  the  treasonable  course  you  are  pursuing 
before  you  bring  upon  yourself,  and  many  otherwise  innocent  persons, 
a  vengeance  of  which  you  have  little  idea. 

I  am,  with  high  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 
Colonel  IQth  Infantry ',  Commanding* 

His  Excellency  BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 


86  UTAH  EXPEDITION. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 

Big  Timbers,  on  Big  Sandy, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  October  30,  185*7. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding,  with  the  view  of  securing  army 
supplies,  to-day  reported  as  in  store  at  Baptiste's  trading  station,  di- 
rects that,  secretly,  at  2  o'clock  to-night  you  move  from  this  camp,  by 
the  direct  route  to  that  station,  and  take  possession  of  all  government 
stores  you  find,  until  delivered  to  the  proper  officers  with  this  com- 
mand. The  ford  at  G-reen  river  is  easy  to  cross,  heing  not  more  than 
knee-deep. 

He  also  directs  that  you  keep  your  command  and  the  occupants  of 
the  houses  concealed,  permitting  no  egress  and  securing  all  persons 
approaching  the  station. 

Should  any  armed  mounted  men  approach  your  party,  you  will 
knock  them  out  of  their  saddles,  and  capture,  if  practicable,  and  treat 
as  enemies  all  persons  who  molest  you,  or  appear  in  arms  on  your 
route. 

A  non-commissioned  officer  and  four  privates  will  accompany  your 
command  to  enable  you  to  communicate,  if  necessary,  with  these  head- 
quarters. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Captain  B.  E.  BEE, 

Infantry,  Big  Timbers,  Big  Sandy. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Black's  Fork,  16  miles  from  Fort  Bridger, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  8,  185*7. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  on  the  delivery  to  you, 
by  Eli  Dufour  and  Benjamin  Claymoor,  of  two  packages  containing 
public  letters,  you  will  cause  the  former  to  be  paid  $300,  (three  hun- 
dred,) and  the  latter  $200  (two  hundred.) 

Eli  is  to  be  continued  in  service,  and  will  be  returned  to  these  head- 
quarters as  soon  as  practicable. 

If  Claymoor  wishes  to  remain  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States, 
you  can  make  a  new  contract  and  send  him  with  Eli, 

The  packages  enclosed  the  colonel  commanding  directs  that   you 
forward,  so  as  to  reach  their  destination  as  soon  as  practicable. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Ere  vet  Lieut.  Col.  WM.  HOFFMAN, 

Commanding  Fort  Laramie,  N.  T. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  87 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp,  Junction  of  Smith's  and  Ham's  Forks, 
Ln  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  13,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  you  cause  to  he  pushed 
forward  to  these  headquarters,  at  Fort  Bridger,  as  soon  as  practicable, 
a  train  of  30  pack  mules  loaded  with  salt.  Your  knowledge  of  the' 
country,  and  of  the  persons  you  will  employ,  will  guide  you  in  the  route 
to  he  taken. 

In  making  your  preparations  for  moving  in  the  spring,  the  colonel 
wishes  you  to  take  into  consideration  the  route  up  the  Laramie  river, 
with  the  view  of  reaching  this  force  at  the  earliest  moment  with  the 
supply  trains,  time  being  the  principal  element  to  consider  in  your 
movement.  As  soon  as  Colonel  Cooke  arrives,  Jeanise,  or  some  other 
reliable  person,  will  be  sent  over  that  route  to  report  to  you  the  prob- 
abilities of  success,  the  difficulties  to  be  overcome,  the  advantages  of 
grass,  and  to  be  a  guide  in  case  you  deem  it  advisable  to  move  in  that 
direction.  It  is  hoped  that  you  may  be  able  to  arrive  here  a  month 
earlier  than  by  the  Oregon  and  California  route,  South  Pass,  send- 
ing some  of  your  troops  in  advance  to  make  or  repair  the  road.  It 
is  inferred,  from  present  information,  that  a  practicable  road  exists, 
and  that  probably  the  principal  difficulties  to  overcome  will  be  the 
cutting  down  banks  and  making  bridges.  The  guide  who  passes  over 
it  will  examine  the  obstacles. 

If  you  have  sufficient  information  to  decide  you,  this  route  is  sug- 
gested as  one  for  the  pack  train,  as  the  grass  is  very  scarce  on  this, 
and  on  the  other  it  has  not  been  injured. 

The  colonel  commanding  also  suggests  that  the  animals  be  not  load- 
ed heavier  than  100  pounds.     There  is  no  salt  with  this  army. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Brevet  Lieut.  Col.  WM.  HOFFMAN, 

Commanding  Fort  Laramie,  N.  T. 

P.  S. — Whichever  route  you  take,,  will  require  boats  or  rafts  to  en- 
able you  to  cross  the  principal  streams.  The  colonel  commanding, 
therefore,  suggests  that  you  bring  with  you  wagons  of  corrugated  iron, 
if  you  have  them,  or  can  procure  them  in  time ;  if  not,  sufficient  timber 
to  make  a  boat  of  sufficient  dimensions  to  cross  your  stores. 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Junction  of  Smith's  and  Black's  Forks, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  13,  1857. 
SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  understands  that  a  quantity  of  arms, 
powder,  lead  and  shot,  were  left  at  Richard's  trading  station,  either 
on  Deer  creek  or  at  Platte  Bridge,  by  G-rosbeck,  the  man  in  charge  of 
the  Mormon  wagon  train  which  passed  your  post  about  October  6. 
He  directs  you  to  have  a  thorough  search  made  for  these  arms  and 


88  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

munitions,  and,  if  found,  have  them  seized  in  the  name  of  the  govern- 
ment. Should  an  unusual  supply  be  found  at  the  Mormon  station  on 
Deer  creek  or  at  Platte  Bridge,  the  colonel  wishes  you  to  have  it 
removed,  leaving  sufficient  for  ordinary  trading  purposes,  no  matter 
who  may  claim  the  ownership. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J,  POUTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Brevet  Lieut.  Col.  WM.  HOFFMAN, 

Commanding  Fort  Laramie,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Junction  of  Smith's  Fork  and  Slack's  Fork, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  13,  1857. 
SIR  :  The  regulations  in  the  case  of  private  Edward  Farrell,  of  your 
company,  reported  in  your  letter  of  the  18th  ultimo,  as  transferred  to 
company  A,  6th  infantry,  not  having  been  complied  with,  the  colonel 
commanding  disapproves  of  the  transfer,  and  directs  that  he  be  borne 
upon  the  rolls  as  a  member  of  your  company. 

You  are  directed  to  furnish  the  commander  of  your  regiment  with 
a  copy  of  this  communication. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Captain  RENSSELAER  W.  FOOTE, 

Commanding  Company  C,  6th  Infantry,  Fort  Laramie,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Junction  of  Smith's  and  Black's  Forks, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  13,  1857. 
SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  on  the  delivery  to  you 
of  a  package  containing  seven  communications,  you  cause  the  bearer, 
an  Indian  boy,  to  be  paid  the  amount  of  $200  (two  hundred  dollars) 
for  services  rendered  in  bearing  a  despatch  to  these  headquarters  from 
Lieut.  Colonel  Cooke,  second  dragoons. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Brevet  Lieut.  Colonel  WM.  HOFFMAN, 

Commanding  Fort  Laramie,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Slack's  Fork,  six  miles  from  Fort  JBridger, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  14,  1857. 

SIR  :  In  addition  to  the  compensation  designated  in  my  letter  of 
yesterday,  the  colonel  commanding  directs  that  you  pay  the  bearer 


UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

(Indian  boy,  Newell,)  one  hundred  dollars,  ($100)  on  delivery  to  you  of 
a  package  to  your  address,  containing  the  communications  referred  to. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Brevet  Lieut.  Col.  WM.  HOFFMAN, 

Commanding  Fort  Laramie,  N.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 

Gamp  near  Fort  Bridger, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  18, 185 T. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  me  to  inform  you  that  only 
a  portion  of  the  supply  trains  will  be  drawn  from  your  camp  to  day, 
and  in  consequence  of  the  enfeebled  condition  of  the  animals,  the  oxen 
will  not  be  returned  until  the  20th  instant.  He  therefore  directs  that 
you  keep  the  main  portion  of  your  regiment  with  you  in  camp,  guard- 
ing the  trains,  till  all  are  in  motion,  sending  a  sufficient  guard  with 
each  train.  Two  of  the  companies  escorting  the  trains  to-day  will 
camp,  as  directed,  at  Fort  Bridger,  while  the  others  will  come  to  this 
camp,  where  your  regiment  will  be  assembled. 

T  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Colonel  E.  B.  ALEXANDER, 

Commanding  10th  Infantry,  Camp  Scott,  U.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott ,  near  Fort  Bridger,  U.  T. , 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  19,  1857. 
SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that  you  proceed  with  your 
company,  as  escort  to  the  train  of  Lieutenant  Lucius  L.  Rich,  A.  A. 
Q.  M.,  charged  with  collecting   all  abandoned  wagons  between  this 
point  and  Ham's  fork,  and  bringing  to  the  camp  a  portion  of  the  goods 
of  Messrs.  Gilbert  &  Radford. 

A  copy  of  Lieutenant  Rich's  instructions  are  enclosed.     You  will 
supply  your  men  with  rations  for  ten  days. 

I  am  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Lieutenant  C.  H.  TYLER, 

Commanding  Company  H.,  2d  Dragoons,  Camp  Scott,  U.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  near  Fort  Bridger,   U.  T. , 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  19,  185*7. 
SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that,  as  medical  director,  you 
have  requisitions  made  upon  the  assistant  quartermaster  for  the  camp 


90  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

and  garrison  equipage,  &c.,  to  establish  hospitals  for  the  different  regi- 
ments and  batteries,  and  that  you  make  the  necessary  arrangements 
to  establish  and  complete  a  general  hospital,  such  as  you  deem  neces- 
sary for  the  command. 

Assistant  Surgeon  Ridgely  has  been  directed  to  forward   his  requi- 
sitions to  you. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Surgeon  MADISON  MILLS, 

Medical  Director,  Army  of  Utah. 


[Circular.] 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  near  Fort  Sridger,  November  19,  185*7. 

All  persons  discharged  from  the  trains  accompanying  this  army,  as 
well  as  all  other  American  citizens  unemployed,  are  invited  to  enrol 
themselves  into  companies  for  9  months  in  the  military  (volunteer) 
serviceof  the  United  States. 

The  compensation  will  be  that  of  an  infantry  soldier,  viz  :  $11 
per  month  and  rations  and  clothing. 

The  above  to  be  paid  when  appropriated  by  Congress. 

By  order  of  Colonel  Albert  S.  Johnston. 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  near  Fort  Sridger, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  November  19,  1857. 
SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  you  to  take  forty  good  six- 
mule  teams  from  the  train  of  this  army,  and  proceed  to  the  junction  of 
Black's  and  Ham's  forks,  collecting  all  abandoned  wagons. 

Arriving  there,  you  will  tender,  in  his  name,  (that  of  government) 
to  Messrs.  Gerrish  &  Radford,  merchants  and  sutlers  to  this  army, 
your  train  to  assist  in  transporting  to  this  camp  their  most  valuable 
goods  and  merchandise,  especially  those  of  a  perishable  nature  and 
most  serviceable  to  the  Mormons,  as  clothing,  groceries,  &c. 

I  am  instructed  to  caution  you  not  to  permit  your  wagons  to  be 
heavily  loaded,  or  to  make  long  marches. 

I  am.  sir,  very  respectfullv,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Second  Lieutenant  L.  L.  RICH, 

Fifth  Infantry,  A.  A.  Q.  M. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  91 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  near  Fort  Bridger,  U.  T. , 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City,  Nov.  19,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commading  directs  that,  with  forty  men  of  your 
command,  supplied  with  ten  days'  rations,  you  proceed  to  the  camp, 
on  or  near  Ham's  fork,  about  30  miles  distant,  of  Messrs.  Garrish 
and  Radford,  merchants  and  sutlers  to  this  army,  and  escort  to  this 
camp  so  much  of  their  trains  as  can  be  moved. 

Should  you  meet  a  portion  of  the  moveable  train,  you  will  unite  the 
whole  of  it,  and  keep  it  united,  and  not  permit  your  command  to  be 
divided  more  than  is  necessary  to  guard  the  column. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Second  Lieut.  HENRY  B.  LIVINGSTON, 

Commanding  Company  E.,  Zd  Dragoons , 

Camp  Scott,  U.  T. 


GREEN  RIVER  COUNTY, 
Fort  Bridger,  U.  T.,  November  21,  1857. 

On  the  llth  of  July,  1857,  I  was  appointed  by  the  President  to  be 
governor  of  this  Territory.  Since  my  arrival  within  the  limits  of  the 
Territory,  I  regret  to  have  found  that  many  acts  of  violence  have  been 
committed  on  the  highways,  in  the  destruction  and  robbery  of  property 
belonging  to  the  United  States.  These  acts,  which  indicate  that  the 
Territory  is  in  a  state  of  rebellion,  are  ascribed,  how  truly  I  do  not 
know,  to  yourself. 

A  proclamation  purporting  to  have  issued  from  you,  and  a  paper 
signed  with  your  name,  found  upon  the  person  of  Joseph  Taylor, 
have  been  submitted  to  my  inspection.  The  matter  contained  in  these 
papers  authorizes  and  commands  violent  and  treasonable  acts — acts 
tending  to  th*e  disruption  of  the  peace  of  the  Territory,  and  which 
subject  their  actors  to  the  penalties  awarded  to  traitors.  If  these 
papers  referred  to  be  not  authentic,  I  trust  you  will  promptly  disavow 
them. 

I  herewith  enclose  a  copy  of  my  proclamation  to  the  people  of 
Utah. 

You  will  oblige  me  by  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  this  by  the  re- 
turning messenger. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,  &c. 

A.  GUMMING, 
Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Ex-Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 

HEADQUARTEKS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  U.  T.,  November  21,  1857. 
Official.  i1.  J.  PORTER, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


92  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


GREEN  RIVER  COUNTY, 
Fort  Bridger,  Utah  Territory,  November  21,  1857. 

To  the  People  of  Utah  Territory: 

On  the  llth  of  July,  1857,  the  President  appointed  me  to  preside 
over  the  executive  department  of  the  government  of  this  Territory.  I 
arrived  at  this  point  on  the  19th  of  this  month,  and  shall  prohably  be  de- 
tained some  time,  in  consequence  of  the  loss  of  animals  during  the  recent 
snow-storm.  I  will  proceed  at  this  point  to  make  the  preliminary 
arrangements  for  the  temporary  organization  of  the  territorial  gov- 
ernment, many  treasonable  acts  of  violence  having  recently  been 
committed  by  lawless  individuals,  supposed  to  have  been  commanded 
by  the  late  executive.  Such  persons  are  in  a  state  of  rebellion.  Pro- 
ceedings will  be  instituted  against  them  in  a  court  organized  by  Chief 
Justice  Eckles,  held  in  this  county,  which  court  will  supersede  the 
necessity  of  appointing  military  commissions  for  the  trial  of  such 
offenders.  It  is  my  duty  to  enforce  unconditional  obedience  to  the 
Constitution,  to  the  organic  law  of  this  Territory,  and  to  all  the  other 
laws  of  Congress  applicable  to  you.  To  enable  me  to  effect  this  ob- 
ject, I  will,  in  the  event  of  resistance,  rely,  first,  upon  a  posse  comitatus 
of  the  well-disposed  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Territory,  and 
will  only  resort  to  a  military  posse  in  case  of  necessity.  I  trust  this 
necessity  will  not  occur. 

I  come  among  you  with  no  prejudices  or  enmities  ;  and,  by  the 
exercise  of  a  just  and  firm  administration,  I  hope  to  command  your 
confidence. 

Freedom  of  conscience,  and  the  use  of  your  own  peculiar  mode  of 
serving  God,  are  sacred  rights,  the  exercise  guarantied  by  the  Consti- 
tution, with  which  it  is  not  the  province  of  the  government,  or  the 
disposition  of  its  representatives  in  this  Territory,  to  interfere. 

In  virtue  of  my  authority,  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  militia  of 
this  Territory,  I  hereby  command  all  armed  bodies  of  individuals,  by 
whomsoever  organized,  to  disband,  and  return  to  their  respective 
homes.  The  penalty  of  disobedience  to  this  command  will  subject 
the  offender  to  the  punishment  due  to  traitors. 

A.  CUMMING, 
Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  U.  T.,  November  21,  1857. 

Official.  F.  J.  PORTER,  A.  A.  G. 


HEADQUARTERS  2D  REGIMENT  OP  DRAGOONS, 
Camp  on  Black's  Fork,  Utah  Territory,  November  21,  1857. 

SIR  :  As  required,  I  Jiave  the  honor  to  report  that,  in  obedience  to 
instructions   from   the   colonel   commanding   the   army  for   Utah,   j 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  93 

marched,  in  command  of  six  companies  2d  dragoons,  three  miles  from 
Fort  Leaven  worth,  and  encamped  the  afternoon  of  the  17th  September. 

The  regiment  had  been  hastily  recalled  from  service  in  the  field  and 
allowed  three  or  four  days  only,  by  my  then  commanding  officer,  to 
prepare  for  a  march  of  eleven  hundred  miles  over  an  uninhabited  and 
mountain  wilderness  ;  in  that  time  the  six  companies  of  the  regiment 
who  were  to  compose  the  expedition  were  re-organized  ;  one  hundred 
and  ten  transferfl  necessarily  made  from  and  to  other  companies  ;  horses 
to  be  condemned  and  many  obtained  ;  the  companies  paid,  and  about 
fifty  desertions  occurred  ;  the  commanders  of  four  of  them  changed. 
To  these  principal  duties  and  obstacles,  implying  a  great  mass  of 
writing,  were  to  be  added  every  exertion  of  experience  and  foresight 
to  provide  for  a  line  of  operation  of  almost  unexampled  length  and 
mostly  beyond  communication.  On  the  evening  of  the  16th,  at  the 
commencement  of  a  rain-storm,  an  inspector  general  made  a  hurried 
inspection  by  companies  which  could  not  have  been  very  satisfactory 
to  him  or  others — the  company  commanders,  amid  the  confusion  of 
Fort  Leavenworth,  presenting  their  new  men,  raw  recruits,  whom 
they  had  yet  scarcely  found  or  seen,  under  the  effects  usually  following 
the  pay-table. 

I  marched,  then,  on  the  1*7 th ;  my  preparations,  though  hurried,  were 
as  complete  as  was  possible  ;  then  it  was  to  be  proved  that  three  or 
four  more  days  were  to  be  lost  in  waiting  for  the  quartermaster's  de- 
partment to  supply  the  absolutely  necessary  transportation.  On  the 
18th  one  hundred  and  seven  mules  were  furnished,  which  the  same 
day  had  arrived  from  a  march  of  perhaps  two  thousand  miles  to  and 
from  Bridger's  Pass  ;  above  one  hundred  of  the  others  were  nearly 
worthless  from  want  of  age,  and  requiring  several  hours  to  harness  a 
team.  On  the  morning  of  the  19th  twenty-seven  teamsters  were 
wanting,  and  men  were  furnished  utterly  ignorant  of  the  business  and 
without  outfits.  I  marched  late  that  day  fourteen  miles,  and  the  last 
of  the  train  reached  the  camp  at  12  m.  on  the  next  day,  the  20th, 
eleven  wagon  tongues  having  been  broken.  On  the  21st,  after  a  hard 
rain,  I  marched  six  miles,  which  on  slippery  roads  was  as  much  as 
such  a  train  could  well  accomplish  ;  and  only  that  night  near  half  of 
one  of  the  companies  whom  we  had  met  returning  to  Fort  Leavenworth, 
from  a  march  of  600  miles,  reached  my  camp. 

Half  allowance,  or  six  pounds  a  day  of  corn  for  horses  and  mules, 
was  the  largest  item  of  transportation  ;  three  or  four  laundresses,  with 
their  children,  were  with  each  company. 

September  23d  I  received  an  application  of  Governor  Gumming 
for  iorage  for  his  (54)  public  animals,  and  was  first  informed  that  an 
order  from  the  War  Department,  communicated  to  the  quartermaster's 
department  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  ordered  it  furnished. 

The  weather  now  for  ten  days  proved  very  fine  ;  but  there  was  gen- 
erally a  deficiency  of  grass,  that  was  not  compensated  by  the  corn 
allowance ;  this  was  owing  to  the  many  troops  and  contract  trains 
which  had  passed,  the  camps  being  on  streams  running  across  the 
route. 

October  1.— On  the  Little  Blue  I  reached  the  train  of  twenty-five 
wagons  and  teams  which  the  colonel  commanding  had  there  stopped 


94 


UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


from  their  return  from  the  Cheyenue  expedition,  to  make  out  my 
outfit  for  the  longer  marches  "beyond  assistance.  Hard  hread  for  the 
whole  march  to  Salt  Lake  City  was  to  he  taken  from  Fort  Kearney. 
Such  was  the  condition  of  the  young  mules  furnished  at  Fort  Leaven- 
worth,  that  only  fourteen  of  these  additional  wagons  were  available, 
sixty-six  mules  "being  necessarily  exchanged.  Here,  as  had  been 
ordered,  Assistant  Surgeon  Covey  joined  the  regiment,  relieving  As- 
sistant Surgeon  Milham. 

October  3. — There  was  so  severe  a  northeast  rain-storm  that  I  lay 
in  camp  ;  I  knew  there  would  be  no  fuel  at  the  next,  on  the  Platte 
river. 

October  4. — I  marched  in  the  rain,  and  on  the  5th  arrived  at  Fort 
Kearney  at  10  a.  m. ;  my  rate  of  marching,  after  September  21,  hav- 
ing averaged  twenty-one  miles  a  day.  There  I  remained  the  next 
day.  I  could  not  increase  the  number  of  wagons,  but  exchanged  a 
few  mules  ;  nor  could  the  required  amount  of  corn  be  furnished. 

On  the  fth  I  marched  in  the  rain,  which  had  continued  since  the 
2d  of  the  month. 

Up  to  the  12th — eleven  days — the  rainy  weather  continued,  clearing 
up  with  thick  ice  ;  but  the  marches  averaged  twenty-one  miles.  The 
grass  was  very  scarce  and  poor.  It  was  not  a  season  and  prospect  for 
delays.  Every  care  was  taken  to  sustain  the  horses ;  they  were  led, 
at  that  time,  about  two  hours  a  day,  and  grazed  on  spots  of  grass 
found  in  the  march.  The  length  of  the  march  was  also  accommodated 
to  it  and  diligent  search  made.  That  night  I  was  encamped  on  an 
island  west  of  Fallow's  bluff.  This  long  rain  made  the  want  of  fuel 
more  severe  ;  it  rendered  useless  the  now  scarce  bois  de  vache. 

After  this,  repeated  hard  frosts,  with  the  previous  consumption  of 
grass  by  the  troops,  trains,  and  60,000  emigrant  cattle,  almost  left  us 
without  this  all-important  support — I  mean  of  a  sort  or  condition  fit 
for  the  support  of  our  animals. 

October  15. — I  crossed  the  South  Platte,  with  a  very  cold  northwest 
wind.  Descended  Ash  Hollow,  and  marched  a  mile  or  two  on  the 
North  Platte  in  the  vain  search  for  any  grass.  These  twenty-two 
miles,  with  the  two  serious  obstacles  overcome,  were  accomplished  by 
the  whole  train  in  good  time.  This  must  be  attributed  to  the  excel- 
lent management  of  that  most  efficient  officer,  First  Lieutenant  John 
Buford,  regimental  quartermaster. 

After  this,  the  horses  began  to  die  and  be  necessarily  left  on  the 
road.  On  the  17th  two  corn  trains  were  passed,  which  had  left  Fort 
Kearney  twelve  days  in  advance  of  the  regiment.  I  renewed  my  de- 
ficient supply — relieving  them.  A  northeaster,  with  sleet,  was  dis- 
tressingly chilling  that  evening,  in  camp  on  " Smith's  fork."  Next 
day  there  was  a  snow-storm,  falling  three  or  four  inches,  which  the 
teams  were  scarcely  forced  to  face ;  and  twenty-three  mules,  all  three- 
year  olds,  were  relieved  from  harness,  exhausted.  Bunch  grass 
was  sought  and  found  that  night  in  the  hills,  several  miles  from  the 
river.  Private  Whitney,  of  company  ifG,"  died  in  that  camp,  near 
Chimney  Rock,  of  lockjaw.  He  was  buried  on  the  bluff  with  the 
honors  of  war.  Next  morning,  at  sunrise,  the  thermometer  was  at  33°, 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  95 

but  a  fierce  wind  made  the  cold  excessive  ;  we  found  ice  floating  in 
the  river. 

October  20. — I  crossed  Scott's  bluff  by  the  old  (the  best  and  short- 
est) road ;  snow  still  neany  covering  the  ground.  A  mail,  which 
had  been  in  company  for  eleven  days,  did  not  get  up  the  night  of 
the  21st. 

On  the  22d  my  camp  was  four  miles  below  Fort  Laramie,  with 
scarcely  an  appearance  of  grass,  and  there  was  none  other  for  miles. 
I  had  made  twenty-one  miles  a  day  from  Fort  Kearney,  the  road  be- 
ing pronounced  worse  than  ever  remembered  by  a  number  of  old  and 
frequent  travellers  on  it. 

On  the  23d  the  regiment  encamped  a  half  a  mile  below  the  fort,  on 
Laramie  river.  Mr.  Buford,  sent  the  night  before,  although  there 
directed  elsewhere,  had  found  the  only  grass  a  mile  and  a  half  higher 
up,  where  the  mules  were  herded  during  my  stay  He  was  now 
directed  to  make  a  critical  examination  and  report  upon  all  the  mules, 
and  a  board  of  the  oldest  company  officers  was  ordered  to  carefully  in- 
spect and  report  upon  the  horses. 

Fifty-three  were  reported,  on  the  24th,  ineffective  for  active  service, 
and  278  fit  to  prosecute  the  march.  The  regimental  quartermaster 
reported  his  ability  to  proceed  with  a  diminution  of  only  ten  wagons  ; 
but  eleven  others  of  the  train  only  capable  of  going  five  or  six  days, 
when  their  loads  of  corn  would  be  consumed,  if  the  others  were  not 
lightened.  There  was  but  little  hay  there,  and  I  ordered  an  issue  from 
it  to  the  horses  during  their  stay.  The  corn  trains  were  expected  in 
a  day  or  two  ;  it  was  so  absolutely  necessary  to  await  their  arrival. 
I  had  received  your  communication  of  October  5,  giving  discretionary 
authority  to  winter  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Laramie,  but  that  evening 
I  determined  to  continue  on.  I  ordered  the  laundresses  to  be  left  ; 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Hoffman  stated  he  could  provide  for  them.  Those 
too  sick  to  ride  were  ordered  to  be  left ;  of  the  men  dismounted,  one 
married  man  to  a  company,  and  such  others  deemed  by  their  company 
commanders  "  ineffective  afoot/ '  were  authorized  to  be  left.  The 
allowance  of  equipage  in  the  general  order  for  the  summer  march  was 
greatly  reduced,  as,  in  fact,  all  other  baggage,  and  even  too  ambulances 
brought  for  the  sick  were  loaded  with  corn  until  they  might  be  needed. 
I  considered  it  prudent  to  take  rations  for  thirty  days. 

On  the  26th  of  October  the  corn  arrived,  and  was  instantly  taken 
and  packed,  by  great  exertions,  for  the  march  that  afternoon,  it  be- 
ing recommended  by  the  guide,  Jeanise.  who  now  joined  me,  in  order 
to  make  camps  with  grass. 

At  one  o'clock  the  "  general"  was  sounded  ;  soon  after  I  received 
the  despatch  of  October  18  from  South  Pass ;  this,  announcing,  in 
fact,  hostilities  in  front,  the  great  want  of  cavalry,  and  the  strong 
hope  of  the  colonel  to  see  us  with  him,  I  read  to  the  officers  assembled 
in  front  of  the  mounted  regiment,  adding  a  few  words  expressing  my 
confidence  in  their  every  exertion  to  meet  the  kindly-announced  ex- 
pectations of  the  commander  of  the  army.  I  had  corn  for  the  night 
brought  to  the  camp  seven  miles  by  two  wagons  of  the  fort ;  half 
allowance  for  eighteen  days  was  then  in  camp  ;  the  horses  were  all 


96  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

blanketed  from  that  time,  and  on  the  march  led  and  mounted  alter- 
nate hours,  "besides  dismounting  on  difficult  ground. 

October  27. -«  Marched  twenty  miles  ;  the  guide  found  very  good 
grass  far  from  the  usual  road  by  making  a  cut-off  to  the  North  Plalte. 
There  I  commenced  herding  the  horses  till  dark,  and  the  mules  all 
night. 

The  marches  were  twenty  miles  a  day  until  the  30th  of  October, 
when,  finding  on  the  river  very  unusually  good  grass,  after  marching 
eight  miles,  the  camp  was  made,  and  horses  and  mules  herded  ;  no 
corn  being  issued  in  that  camp,  s  avea  half  feed  to  horses  next  morning. 

Next  day  there  was  rain,  but  we  marched  twenty  miles  to  the  first 
grass  in  the  vicinity  of  Deer  creek,  two  miles  west  of  it.  At  the 
trading  house  I  caused  some  good  hay  to  be  purchased — all  there  was, 
and  less  than  an  allowance  for  the  horses.  A  hunter  was  there  hired  ;  a 
beef  procured  and  slaughtered  ;  an  expressman  was  also  engaged  ; 
and  I  wrote  to  communicate  with  headquarters,  but  the  man  did 
not  present  himself  until  the  next  night. 

November  1. — Owing  to  total  absence  of  grass,  the  march  was 
prolonged  to  twenty-three  or  twenty-four  miles,  and  a  camp  made 
above  the  bridge.  Next  morning  was  very  cold.  The  few  tents  were 
with  difficulty  folded  and  packed,  having  remained  frozen  from  the 
sleet  two  nights  before.  The  old  road  was  taken,  leaving  the  river  at 
the  crossing,  and  it  not  having  been  used  by  the  troops,  we  were  not 
disappointed  in  finding  grass  for  a  camp  at  the  first  spring — 15  miles. 

Five  wagons  and  teams  of  the  worst  mules  were  that  morning  left  in 
camp,  to  return  to  Fort  Laramie  after  resting  a  day. 

November  3. — Twenty  miles  were  accomplished  against  an  ex- 
cessive cold  headwind,  to  a  camp  on  Sage  creek.  The  horses  were 
mostly  led.  The  fatigue  of  walking  up  and  over  the  high  hills  in  the 
face  of  the  wind  was  very  great.  A  bad  camp,  with  poor  hill  grass, 
and  a  cold  rain,  was  our  welcome  on  Sage  creek. 

November  4. — The  camp  was  on  Sweet  Water,  a  mile  above  Inde- 
pendence Rock.  The  hunter  brought  in  at  night  four  hundred  pounds 
of  good  buffalo  meat ;  and  also,  for  me,  a  canteen  of  petroleum,  from 
a  spring,  at  the  base  of  one  of  the  small  black  mountains,  not  distant 
from  the  road.  Five  empty  wagons  and  teams  were  ordered  back  to 
Fort  Laramie. 

November  5. — We  passed  Devil's  Gate,  with  a  scenery  landscape  up 
the  Sweet  Water  valley.  We  crossed  the  little  river  to  within  half  a 
mile  of  a  deep,  grassy  vale,  extending  into  the  mountain  masses  of  naked 
granite.  There  all  the  animals  were  loosed  for  the  night,  the  mouth 
of  the  canon  only  being  guarded. 

On  the  6th  we  found  the  ground  once  more  white  and  the  snow 
falling,  but  then  very  moderately  ;  I  marched  as  usual.  On  a  four- 
mile  hill  the  north  wind  and  drifting  snow  became  severe ;  the  air 
seemed  turned  to  frozen  fog ;  nothing  co;ild  be  seen  ;  we  were 
struggling  in  a  freezing  cloud.  The  lofty  wall  at  "  Three  Crossings" 
was  a  happy  relief ;  but  the  guide,  who  had  lately  passed  there,  was 
relentless  in  pronouncing  that  there  was  no  grass.  The  idea  of  finding 
and  feeding  upon  grass,  in  that  wintry  storm,  under  the  deep  snow, 
was  hard  to  entertain ;  but  as  he  promised  grass  and  other  shelter  two 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  97 

miles  further,  we  marched  on,  crossing  twice  more  the  rocky  stream, 
half  choked  with  snow  and  ice ;  finally  he  led  us  behind  a  great 
granite  rock,  hut  all  too  small  for  the  promised  shelter.  Only  a  part 
of  the  regiment  could  huddle  there  in  the  deep  snow  ;  whilst,  the  long 
night  through,  the  storm  continued,  and  in  fearful  eddies  from  ahove, 
before,  behind,  drove  the  falling  and  drifting  snow.  Thus  exposed 
for  the  hope  of  grass,  the  poor  animals  were  driven,  with  great  devo- 
tion, by  the  men,  once  more  across  the  stream  and  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  beyond,  to  the  base  of  a  granite  ridge,  but  which  almost  faced 
the  storm  ;  there  the  famished  mules,  crying  piteously,  did  not  seek 
to  eat,  but  desperately  gathered  in  a  mass,  and  some  horses,  escaping 
the  guard,  went  back  to  the  ford,  where  the  lofty  precipice  first  gave 
us  so  pleasant  relief  and  shelter. 

Thus  morning  light  had  nothing  cheering  to  reveal ;  the  air  still 
filled  with  driven  snow  ;  the  animals  soon  came  driven  in,  and, 
mingled  in  confusion  with  men,  went  crunching  the  snow  in  the  con- 
fined and  wretched  camp,  tramping  all  things  in  their  way.  It  was 
not  a  time  to  dwell  on  the  fact  that  from  that  mountain  desert  there 
was  no  retreat,  nor  any  shelter  near  ;  but  a  time  for  action.  No  mur- 
murs, not  a  complaint  was  heard,  and  certainly  none  saw  in  their 
commander's  face  a  doubt  or  clouds ;  but  with  cheerful  manner  he 
gave  orders  as  usual  for  the  march. 

And  then  the  sun  showed  his  place  in  the  sky,  and  my  heart,  for 
one,  beat  lighter  ;  but  for  six  hours  the  frost,  or  frozen  fog,  fell 
thickly  like  snow,  and  again  we  marched  on  as  in  a  cloud.  The  deep 
snow  drifts  impeded  us  much,  and  in  crossing  Sweet  water  the  ice 
broke  in  the  middle.  Marching  ten  miles  only,  I  got  a  better  camp, 
and  herded  the  horses  on  the  hills.  It  was  a  different  road,  but  near 
Ice  spring,  where,  a  few  days  before,  the  bodies  of  three  frozen  men 
were  found. 

November  8. — The  mercury  this  morning  marked  forty-four  degrees 
below  the  freezing  point.  The  march  was  commenced  before  8  o'clock, 
and  soon  a  high  northwest  wind  arose,  which,  with  the  drift,  gave 
great  suffering.  Few  could  ride  long  ;  but,  of  necessity,  eighteen 
miles  were  marched  to  Bitter  creek.  The  snow  was  blown  deep  in 
its  valley,  to  which  the  hills  gave  little  shelter.  On  them  the  guide 
said  there  was  some  grass,  but  few  animals  went,  and  none  staid 
there,  so  bitter  was  the  wind.  Twenty-three  mules  had  given  out, 
and  five  wagons  and  the  harness  were  ordered  to  be  abandoned  at  the 
camp. 

Next  day  nineteen  miles  were  to  be  marched  ;  the  road  over  high 
hills  and  table  lands  ;  the  snow  was  deep  and  drifted  ;  the  officers 
and  men  leading  must  break  through  the  drifts  in  the  road,  where 
the  wagons  must  follow  it ;  the  cloud  was  still  on  us,  and  freezing  in 
our  faces.  Seven  hours  there,  and  the  Sweetwater  valley  was  re- 
gained. The  wagons  arrived  at  night.  The  animals  were  driven 
over  the  ice  to  herd  on  the  high  hills  bounding  the  very  narrow  valley  ; 
but  in  the  night  a  very  great  wind  arose  and  drove  them  back  from 
the  scant  bunch  grass,  there  freezing  to  death  fifteen.  We  had  there 
for  fuel,  besides  the  sage,  the  little  bush  willow  sticks. 

November  10. — The  northeast  wind  continued  fiercely,  enveloping 

H.  Ex.  Doc.  71 7 


98  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

us  in  a  cloud  which  froze  and  fell  all  day.  Few  could  have  faced  that 
wind.  The  herders  left  to  bring  up  the  rear  with  extra  but  nearly  all 
broken  down  mules,  could  not  force  them  from  the  dead  bushes  of  the 
little  valley  ;  and  they  remained  there  all  day  and  night,  bringing 
on  next  day  the  fourth  part  that  had  not  frozen.  Thirteen  mules 
were  marched,  and  the  camp  was  made  four  miles  from  the  top  of  the 
pass.  A  wagon  that  day  cut  partly  through  the  ice  of  a  branch,  and 
there  froze  so  fast  eight  mules  could  not  move  it  empty.  Nearly  all 
the  tent  pins  were  broken  in  the  last  camp  ;  a  few  of  iron  were  here 
substituted  Nine  trooper  horses  were  left  freezing  and  dying  on  the 
road  that  day,  and  a  number  of  soldiers  and  teamsters  had  been  frost- 
bitten. It  was  a  desperately  cold  night.  The  thermometers  were  broken, 
but,  by  comparison,  must  have  marked  twenty-five  degrees  below  zero.  A 
bottle  of  sherry  wine  froze  in  a  trunk.  Having  lost  about  fifty  mules 
in  thirty-six  hours,  the  morning  of  the  eleventh,  on  the  report  of  the 
quartermaster,  I  felt  bound  to  leave  a  wagon  in  the  bushes,  filled  with 
seventy-four  extra  saddles  and  bridles,  and  some  sabres.  Two  other 
wagons  at  the  last  moment  he  was  obliged  to  leave,  but  empty.  The 
Sharp's  carbines  were  then  issued  to  mounted  as  well  as  dismounted 
men. 

The  llth,  pleasant  in  the  forenoon  to  men  well  wrapped  and  walk- 
ing in  the  sun  ;  we  early  surmounted  the  pass,  and  marching  seven- 
teen miles  encamped  on  Dry  Sandy.  The  guide's  search  resulted  in 
his  reporting  :  "  no  grass."  There  remained  but  one  day's  corn  after 
that  night.  It  proved  intensely  cold,  which  must  needs  be,  (seven  to 
eight  thousand  feet  high,)  in  winter,  in  latitude  above  42°  ;  the  mules, 
for  once,  were  ordered  to  be  tied  at  the  wagons  ;  they  gnawed  and 
destroyed  four  wagon  tongues,  a  number  of  wagon  covers,  ate  their 
ropes,  and  getting  loose,  ate  the  sage  fuel  collected  at  the  tents  ;  some 
of  these  they  also  attacked  ;  nine  died. 

The  fast  growing  company  of  dismounted  men  were  marched  to- 
gether as  a  separate  command  by  day  ;  the  morning  of  the  12th,  a 
number  of  them  were  frost-bitten  from  not  being  in  motion,  although 
standing  by  fires. 

That  day  eighteen  miles  were  marched  to  Big  Sandy,  where  the 
guide  found  grass,  and  fuel  with  it,  so  good,  that  the  13th  was  made 
a  day  of  rest;  the  animals  all  herded  at  the  grass.  Fifty  horses  had 
been  lost  since  Laramie.  The  regiment  had  retained  through  its  suf- 
ferings an  excellent  spirit. 

November  14th  was  cold,  with  a  dense  fog,  which  caused  much 
delay  and  difficulty  in  collecting  the  animals.  I  marched,  however, 
eighteen  miles,  to  Second  Crossing  ;  there  was  scarcely  any  grass. 
The  weather  had  now  much  moderated. 

The  15th,  I  reached  and  crossed  G-reen  river  ;  there  was  very  little 
grass,  near  or  far ;  the  horses  were  herded  at  night  half  a  mile  from 
camp,  crossing  the  river  on  the  ice.  The  United  States  October  mail, 
which  preceded  me  by  two  days  from  Fort  Laramie,  arrived  there  soon 
after  me.  Nine  wagons  were  left  at  the  house  and  forty-two  mules, 
with  teamsters  to  herd  them. 

The  sick  report  had  rapidly  run  up  from  four  or  five  to  forty-two ; 
-six  soldiers  and  teamsters  having  been  frosted. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  99 

A  man  of  Green  river,  named  Migette,  was  authorized  to  collect  and 
winter  such  animals  as  he  might  find  surviving  on  the  road. 

November  16. — We  had  to  face  a  very  severe  wind,  and  to  march 
too,  eighteen  miles,  before  a  camp  ground  could  he  got  on  Ham's  fork  ; 
and  there  was  little  or  no  grass.  At  mid-day  my  return  express,  now 
sent  to  Fort  Laramie,  was  met.  Twenty  horses  were  abandoned  in 
that  twenty-four  hours. 

Next  day  the  guide  was  sent  early  to  look  for  grass ;  we  found  some, 
and  I  marched,  leading  the  horses  six  miles,  and  encamped  there  on 
"  Little  Muddy"  running  into  Black's  fork. 

The  18th,  thirteen  miles  were  marched,  and  some  very  good  bunch 
grass  was  found,  by  careful  search,  between  the  barren  clay  ridges, 
within  half  a  mile  of  which  I  camped  on  Black's  Fork. 

November  19. — Marched  leading  through  the  mud  and  snow,  as 
yesterday,  fourteen  miles  ;  passing  the  camp  of  the  10th  infantry, 
I  encamped  several  miles  above  them,  on  Black's  fork,  and  about 
three  miles  below  "  Fort  Bridger." 

From  there  I  reported  in  person  yesterday,  and  one  of  my  com- 
panies joined,  at  the  army  headquarters,  camp  Scott.  I  have  one 
hundred  and  forty-four  horses,  and  have  lost  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
four.  Most  of  the  loss  has  occurred  much  this  side  of  South  Pass,  in 
comparatively  moderate,  weather.  It  has  been  of  starvation  ;  the 
earth  has  a  no  more  lifeless,  treeless,  grassless  desert ;  it  contains 
scarcely  a  wolf  to  glut  itself  on  the  hundreds  of  dead  and  frozen 
animals  which  for  thirty  miles  nearly  block  the  road  ;  with  abandoned 
and  shattered  property,  they  mark,  perhaps,  beyond  example  in  his- 
tory, the  steps  of  an  advancing  army  with  the  horrors  of  a  disastrous 
retreat. 

A  list  of  the  officers  is  subjoined. 

With  high  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

P.  ST.  GEO.  COOKE, 
Lieut.  Col.  2d  Dragoons. 

THE  ASSISTANT  ADJUTANT  GENERAL, 

Army  of  Utah,  Camp  Scott,  U.  T. 


Lieutenant  Colonel  P.  St.  Geo.  Cooke. 

Major  M.  S.  Howe. 

First  Lieutenant  John  Buford,  regimental  quartermaster. 

First  Lieutenant  John  Pegram,  adjutant. 

Assistant  Surgeon  Edward  N.  Covey. 

Brevet  Major  H.  H.  Sibley,  commanding  company  I  and  squadron. 

Captain  James  M.  Hawes,  commanding  company  C  and  squadron. 

First  Lieutenant  Jonas  P.  Holliday,  commanding  company  F  and 
squadron. 

First  Lieutenant  Thomas  Hight,  commanding  company  B. 

First  Lieutenant  John  B.  Villepigue,  commanding  dismounted 
men. 

Second  Lieutenant  George  A.  Gordon,  commanding  company  A. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  Mullens. 


100  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

Second  Lieutenant  Ebenezer  Gray,  commanding  company  G, 

Second  Lieutenant  John  Green. 

Second  Lieutenant  Francis  C.  Armstrong. 

Second  Lieutenant  George  Jackson. 

Brevet  Second  Lieutenant  Samuel  W.  Ferguson. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 

Camp  Scott,  near  Fort  Bridger, 
En  route  to  Salt  Lake  City.  November  22,  1857. 
SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that  your  letter  of  October  27th 
ultimo,  in  the  case  of  Captain  Humber,  7th  infantry,  and  enclosing  a 
medical  certificate  of  ill  health,  has  been  laid  before  the  colonel  com- 
manding, and  the  following  is  his  endorsement  thereon  : 

"  HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
"  Camp  Scott,  Utah  Territory,  November  20,  1857. 

"  The  colonel  commanding,  by  silence,  cannot  permit  the  action  of 
Colonel  Hoffman  to  be  a  precedent  for  an  officer  under  his  command 
to  authorize  another  to  go  beyond  his  control. 

"  The  exercise  of  such  a  power  is  not  warranted  by  the  regulations; 
nor  from  the  nature  of  the  disease,  by  the  urgency  of  the  case,  the 
only  event  which  will  sanction  its  application. 

"  Captain  Humber  will  not  be  recalled,  though  the  application  for 
a  leave  of  absence  was  not  granted  ;  but  Colonel  Hoffman  will  inform 
him  of  the  action  of  the  colonel  commanding/' 

This  endorsement  is  furnished  by  direction  of  the  colonel  command- 
ing. 

I  am  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Brevet  Lieut.  Col.  WILLIAM  HOFFMAN, 

Commanding  fort  Laramie,  Nebraska  Territory. 


CAMP  SCOTT,  U.  T., 

November  22,  1857. 

SIR  :  As  chief  of  the  quartermaster's  department,  and  thus  directly 
or  indirectly  responsible  for  the  transportation  of  this  army,  I  beg 
leave  to  submit  the  following  report  for  the  consideration  of  the  colonel 
commanding  : 

From  the  limited  observation  I  have  been  able  to  make,  and  from 
all  the  information  I  can  get  in  regard  to  the  quantity  of  grass  in  this 
vicinity,  I  am  confident  there  is  not  enough  within  ten  miles  to  sub- 
sist the  animals  of  this  command  for  six  weeks.  We  have  now  been 
here  scarcely  a  week,  and  in  that  short  period  it  has  all  been  eaten 
off  for  a  mile  and  a  half  in  each  direction.  If  the  attempt  is  made  to 
winter  them  all  near  here,  I  ain  fearful  there  will  not  be  any  in  the 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  101 

spring  fit  for  draught,  if  any  considerable  number  of  them  should 
survive.  About  twelve  teams  will  be  necessary  for  daily  service. 
These  teams  could  be  reduced  to  four  mules  to  a  team.  With  the 
little  subsistence  these  animals  can  get,  they  cannot  work  more  than 
one  day  out  of  three  or  four.  Thus  1*72  mules  must  be  kept  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  camp,  and  when  worked  one  day  in  four  it  is  not  prob- 
able they  can  be  kept  serviceable  more  than  a  month  at  a  time.  By 
the  end  of  each  month  they  must  be  transferred  to  the  general  herd, 
and  replaced  by  others  that  have  been  somewhat  recruited.  In  this 
manner  they  will  all  be  kept  worked  down  and  unfit  for  use  in  the 
spring  when  they  will  be  most  needed. 

Henry's  fork  is  the  nearest  point  where,  in  my  opinion,  grass  can 
be  found  in  sufficient  quantity  to  maintain  them  in  working  condition 
for  the  next  four  months.  If  the  troops  are  to  remain  in  this  camp,  I 
would  respectfully  suggest,  for  the  consideration  of  the  colonel  com- 
manding, the  propriety  of  sending  to  that  point,  under  proper  guards, 
all  the  animals  under  my  charge,  with  the  exception  of  about  350 
mules.  If  the  grass  on  Black's  fork  above  our  camp  and  on  Smith's 
fork  were  reserved  for  these  350  mules,  it  would  subsist  them  for  the 
winter.  Of  this  number  one-half  should  be  kept  distant  from  the 
camp  on  good  grazing,  and  the  other  half  near  us  for  daily  use 
Those  kf^pt  here  will  get  but  little  to  eat,  but  by  changing  them,  say 
every  two  weeks,  with  those  that  are  distant,  we  may  get  through  the 
winter  without  using  up  more  than  these  350  mules. 

The  majority  of  those  sent  to  Henry's  fork  that  are  not  now  too 
much  broken  down  would,  with  a  mild  winter,  be  fit  for  service  early 
in  the  spring. 

The  reports  from  the  different  quartermasters  as  to  the  loss  of  ani- 
mals in  the  march,  the  number  now  on  hand  and  their  condition, 
have  not  all  been  sent  in  yet ;  but  I  think  the  number  to  be  wintered 
will  not  differ  materially  from  2,400,  including  beef  cattle. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  H.  DICKERSON, 

Captain  and  A.  Q.  M. 

Major  F.  J.  PORTER, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


CAMP  SCOTT,  U.  T.,  November  24,  185*7. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  for  the  information  of  the  colonel 
commanding,  that  about  588  mules  of  this  command  have  died  since 
leaving  Fort  Leavenworth.  Over  nine- tenths  of  this  loss  has  occurred 
within  the  last  month.  About  half  the  horses  of  the  two  batteries 
are  dead,  and  two-thirds  of  the  dragoons  are  dismounted.  The  ani- 
mals now  remaining  are  leg- weary  and  without  life,  and  many  of 
them  must  die  during  the  winter.  I  think  we  cannot  count  with 
safety  on  having  over  five  hundred  serviceable  mules  and  forty  battery 
horses  on  the  first  of  next  May.  The  loss  of  dragoon  horses  depends 
on  the  amount  of  duty  they  have  to  perform  between  this  and  spring, 
and  no  estimate  of  the  loss  can  be  made  ;  but  it  is  not  probable  that 


102  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

any  considerable  number  will  be  serviceable.  Anotber  outfit  will, 
therefore,  be  required  for  any  movement  tbat  may  be  contemplated  in 
tbe  spring.  The  only  animals  that  can  be  gotten  here  are  Indian 
ponies,  and  we  cannot  rely  with  certainty  on  getting  many  of  those. 
The  mass  of  the  animals  for  the  spring  outfit  must  be  gotten  either 
from  Fort  Leaven  worth  or  from  New  Mexico.  It  is  of  the  highest  im- 
portance that  the  animals  should  be  gotten  here  at  the  earliest  period 
practicable.  They  can  be  gotten  under  way  from  fifteen  to  thirty 
days  earlier  from  New  Mexico  than  they  can  from  Fort  Leaven  worth, 
and  will  be  six  hundred  miles  nearer  us  at  the  starting  point.  From 
my  knowledge  of  the  country,  and  from  the  best  information  I  can 
get,  I  am  confident  as  many,  both  American  and  Mexican,  mules  can 
be  gotten  on  the  upper  and  lower  Rio  Grande  as  will  be  wanted. 

Generally  but  few  American  horses  can  be  procured.  They  are 
bought  up  for  mounted  corps  serving  in  the  country.  They  have 
there,  however,  a  large  sized  pony,  or  "  half-breed  "  horse  that  would 
answer  admirably  well  for  remounting  the  dragoons. 

The  route  from  here  to  New  Mexico  is  believed  to  be  entirely  prac- 
ticable at  this  season  of  the  year.  Herds  of  sheep  have  been  brought 
through  in  the  winter  season,  or,  at  least,  started  sufficiently  early  to 
get  to  Henry's  fork  by  the  last  of  April.  And  there  does  not  appear  to 
be  any  obstacle  to  our  having  animals  brought  through  by  the  15th 
of  May,  and  arrive  here  in  good  condition.  There  are  guides  here, 
familiar  with  the  route,  who  are  willing  to  conduct  the  party,  if  one 
should  be  sent. 

I  would  respectfully  suggest  that  a  commissioned  officer,  with  a 
proper  escort,  be  sent  through  this  winter,  with  a  view  of  bringing 
back  animals  as  early  as  practicable  in  the  spring.  I  enclose  an  esti- 
mate for  four  hundred  horses  and  one  thousand  mules.  If  horses 
cannot  be  gotten  there  in  sufficient  numbers  suitable  for  battery  pur- 
poses, then  two  hundred  large  sized  American  mules  should  be  gotten, 
to  take  the  place  of  horses  in  the  batteries. 

By  despatching  the  party  early,  it  would  get  through  in  time  to 
procure  the  animals  and  have  them  in  good  condition  to  start  on  the 
return  trip,  by  the  first  of  March.  I  have  no  doubt  but  a  considerable 
number  of  the  mules  could  be  procured  from  the  quartermaster's  de- 
partment. These  animals  might  be  packed  with  light  loads,  and 
travel  slowly  till  the  grass  becomes  good,  without  destroying  their 
efficiency,  and  thus  bring  through  100,000  pounds  of  subsistence  stores. 
Each  animal  should  start  with  50  pounds  of  corn,  to  be  fed  to  it  on 
starting  out,  and  when  grass  is  scarce. 

I  am,  major,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  H.  DICKERSON, 
Captain  and  Asst.   Quartermaster. 

Major  F.  G-.  PORTER, 

Asst.  Adjutant  General. 


UTAH    EXPEDITION,  103 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  U.  T.,  November  26,  1857. 

Estimate  for  funds  required  for  purchasing  in  New  Mexico  and  trans- 
porting to  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Bridger,  Utah  Territory,  four  hundred 
horses  and  eight  hundred  mules,  viz : 

150  American  horses,  at  $1*75 $26,250 

250  large  sized  Mexican  horses,  at  $85...., 21,250 

600  Mexican  mules,  at  $80 48,000 

200  American  mules,  at  $125 25,000 

10  packmasters  for  two  months,  at  $75  per  month 1,500 

280  packers  for  two  months,  at  $30  per  month 16,800 

138,800 


JNO.  H.  DICKERSON, 
Captain,  and  Assistant  Quartermaster. 

I  have  estimated  only  for  eight  hundred  mules,  relying  the  other 
two  hundred  from  the  quartermaster  department. 

J.  H.  D.,  Asst.  Quartermaster. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  Utah  Territory,  November  26,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  is  informed  of  a  number  of  horses 
for  sale  by  the  Utah  Indians,  through  bands  of  which  tribe  you  will 
pass  on  your  route  to  New  Mexico.  He  desires  you  to  purchase  horses 
from  them  suitable  to  the  wants  of  this  army,  and  send  them,  if  prac- 
ticable, direct  to  this  camp  or  Lieutenant  Colonel  Cooke. 

As  these  animals  cannot  be  procured  but  in  exchange  for  Indian 
goods,  he  authorizes  you  to  purchase  such  to  the  value  of  five  hundred 
and  sixty- three  dollars. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Capt.  R.  B.  MARCY, 

5th  Infantry,  Commanding  Expedition  to  New  Mexico. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  Utah  Territory,  November  26,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  has  reason  to  believe  Mormons 
are  lurking  in  the  part  of  the  country  you  are  to  occupy,  and,  there- 
fore, warns  you  that  an  ample  guard,  both  of  foot  and  horse,  may  be 
assigned  to  all  herds  sent  from  you. 

He  doubts  not  you  will  treat  all  men  as  enemies  who  interfere 
with  your  movements  or  threaten  your  charge ;  but,  lest  you  should 


104  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

have  doubts  of  your  authority,  he  wishes  you  to  seize  all  suspicious 
persons  who  visit  your  camp  ;  and  should  you  be  convinced  of  the 
proximity  of  any  armed  parties  of  men,  large  or  small,  to  become 
acquainted  with  their  intentions,  and,  if  necessary,  to  pursue,  capture 
or  rout  them. 

I  am.  sir.  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Lieut.  Col.  P.  ST.  G-EO.  COOKE, 

Commanding  2d  Dragoons, 

En  route  to  Henry's  Fork. 


OFFICE  OF  THE  COMMISSARY  OF  SUBSISTENCE,  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  near  Fort  Bridger,  U.  T.,  Nov.  28,  185T. 

MAJOR  :  For  the  information  of  colonel  commanding,  I  have  the 
honor  to  enclose,  herewith,  a  statement  of  subsistence  stores  received 
from  the  supply  trains  of  Messrs.  Russell  &  Waddell,  contractors  for 
transportation,  and  now  stored  in  Fort  Bridger,  Utah. 

In  addition  to  the  articles  of  subsistence  stores,  enumerated  in  the 
statement,  there  are,  including  seven  hundred  (700)  belonging  to  the 
government,  about  two  thousand  (2,000)  head  of  cattle  in  this  vicinity, 
and  that  of  Henry's  fork ;  all  of  which,  not  now  belonging  to  the 
United  States,  have  been,  or,  it  is  believed,  can  be  secured  by  contract 
for  the  use  of  the  troops. 

Sufficient  coffee,  sugar,  and  soap,  to  supply  deficiencies  of  those 
articles,  can  be  purchased  from  merchants  at  this  camp.  The  aggre- 
gate number  of  persons  at  present  dependent  on  the  government  sup- 
plies for  subsistence,  as  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  is  twenty-four  hun- 
dred, (2,400,)  and  that  the  supplies  may  be  certain  to  last  until  others 
can  be  brought  forward  next  year. 

I  recommend  that,  for  the  present,  the  following  arrangement  of 
the  articles  mentioned  of  the  ration  may  be  substituted  for  that  estab- 
lished by  army  regulations  : 

Bacon,  including  hams,  the  ration  remaining  at  present  to  be  issued 
but  once  in  seven  days  ; 

Two  (2)  pounds  of  fresh  beef  per  ration  ; 

Twelve  (12)  ounces  of  flour  per  ration  ; 

Beans  to  be  issued  thrice  in  ten  days  ; 

Rice  to  be  issued  five  times  in  ten  days  ; 

Desiccated  vegetables  to  be  issued  twice  in  ten  days  ; 

Half  rations  of  vinegar,  candles,  and  soap  ; 

Molasses  to  be  issued  twice  and  dried  peaches  once  in  fifteen  days — 
one  gallon  of  the  former  and  ten  pounds  of  the  latter  being  allowed 
to  the  hundred  rations. 

And  I  further  recommend  that  officers,  civil  and  military,  in  their 
purchases  for  the  use  of  themselves,  families,  and  servants,  be  limited 
to  the  ration  ;  and  that  the  issues  herein  recommended  be  extended  to 


UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


105 


the  hired  employees,  as  well  as  to  the  enlisted  men  composing  this 
army. 

I  am,  major,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  F.  CLARKE, 
Captain  and  C.  S.,  U.  S.  Army. 
Major  F.  J.  PORTER, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General ,  Army  of  Utah. 


Statement  of  subsistence  stores  received  from  the  supply  trains  of  Hesssrs. 
Russell  &  Waddell,  contractors  for  transportation,  and  now  stored  in 
Fort  Bridger,  Utah. 


No.  of 
pounds,&c 

Articles. 

No.  of  rations. 

No.  of  days'  rations  for  2,400 
men,  under  the   arrange- 
ment established  by  army 
regulations,  of  each  article. 

46,  800 
5,  000 
405,  500 
375 
26,  100 
122,  450 
17,250 
2,  500 
260 
60,  000 
2,500 
3,300 
4,480 
7,550 
1,000 
104 

Pounds  of  bacon  ....  

62,400  ) 
6,  666  f  69,  066 
360,  444 
150,  000  ) 
261,  000  > 
122,450  $533,450 
287,  500  ) 
41,666  V 
17,  333  >  346,  499 
500,  000  ( 
20,  833  f  520,  833 
330,  000 
448,  000 
188,  750 
200,  000 
34,  320 

28. 
150. 

222. 

144. 

217. 
137. 
186. 

78. 
83. 
14.  lOlbs.  to  the  100  rations. 

Pounds  of  ham  ...... 

Pounds  of  flour    ......  ...... 

Bushels  of  beans  .     .  . 

Pounds  of  rice 

Rations  dessicated  vegetables. 
Pounds  of  Rio  coffee  ....  .  

Pounds  of  tea  ...  ........ 

Pounds  of  sugar  ......  ...... 

Pounds  of  crushed  sugar  
Gallons  of  vinegar 

Pounds  of  sperm  candles  
Pounds  of  soap 

Bushels  of  dried  peaches  .... 

CAMP  SCOTT,  NEAR  FORT  BRIDGER,  U.  T., 

November  28,  1857. 


H.  F.  CLARKE, 

Captain  and  C.  S. ,  U.  S.  A. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  Utah  Territory,  November  30,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  designs  sending  to  Fort  Laramie 
early  to-morrow  morning  Jeanise,  Boiderai,  Mr.  Bartleson,  and  a 
Spaniard  in  your  employ  transferred  from  Lieutenant  Buford,  and 
wishes  the  party  supplied  with  five  mules,  one  pack-saddle,  and  the 
necessary  equipment,  and  rations  for  fourteen  days. 

Jeanise  is  to  continue  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States,  and  to 
return  with  Colonel  Hoifman.  He  will  be  charged  with  three  of  the 
animals,  and  from  the  time  of  arriving  at  Fort  Laramie,  will  supply 
his  own  horse  or  mule. 


106  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

Mr.  Bartleson  will  be  supplied  with  one  mule,  and  on  delivering  it 
to  the  quartermaster  at  Fort  Laramie,  will  be  paid  $5  per  day  during 
the  journey. 

Boiderai  will  be  employed  as  a  guide.  He  will  supply  his  own 
animal,  and  be  paid  $5  per  day.  Colonel  Hoffman  will  return  him 
to  this  camp  as  soon  as  practicable. 

The  Spaniard  will  have  one  mule — to  be  delivered  to  the  quarter- 
master— will  be  retained  in  service  at  his  present  pay,  and,  at  the 
discretion  of  Colonel  Hoffman,  returned  with  Boiderai. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Captain  J.  H.  DICKERSON, 

Assistant  Quartermaster,  Army  of  Utah. 


CAMP  SCOTT,  UTAH  TERRITORY, 

November  29,  1857. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  following  is  the  amount  o^ 
clothing  on  hand  at  this  date.  The  list  is  taken  from  the  unfinished 
proceedings  of  a  board  of  survey,  which  completed  the  examination  of 
the  amount  on  hand  to-day.  I  have  only  time  to  furnish  the  list  as 
given  by  the  board  of  survey,  without  arranging  it  in  proper  form : 

190  uniform  infantry  caps. 
370  uniform  cavalry  hats. 
307  uniform  cap  covers. 

94  uniform  cap  covers  and  capes. 
400  uniform  cap  pompons,  eagles,  and  rings. 
930  uniform  infantry  coats,  (privates.) 
8  uniform  infantry  coats,  (musicians.) 

29  uniform  cavalry  jackets,  (privates.) 

7  uniform  cavalry  jackets,  (musicians.) 
32  pairs  of  sergeants'  metallic  scales. 

108  pairs  of  privates'  metallic  scales. 
1,392  pairs  of  privates'  metallic  scales. 

8  sashes. 

2,562  uniform  trousers,  (foot.) 

600  uniform  trousers,  (mounted.) 

520  uniform  fatigue  jackets. 
3,905  flannel  shirts. 
3,290  pairs  of  drawers. 

675  pairs  of  boots. 

148  pairs  of  bootees. 

600  pairs  of  stockings. 
1,190  leather  stocks. 

588  great  coats,  (foot.) 
20  great  coats,  (mounted.) 
68  great  coats,  (mounted.) 

723  blankets. 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  107 

3,150  bedsacks,  single. 

16  pairs  uniform  sergeants'  chevrons,  (infantry.) 

16  pairs  uniform  corporals'  chevrons,  (infantry.) 

6  pairs  uniform  sergeants'  chevrons,  (cavalry.) 

6  pairs  uniform  corporals'  chevrons,  (cavalry.) 

39  Sibley  tents. 

6  Sibley  tent  poles. 
12  Sibley  tent  poles,  without  tripods. 
12  Sibley  tent  poles,  without  tripods. 
31  hospital  tents. 
28  hospital  tent  flies. 
452  haversacks. 
160  mess  pans. 
403  tent  pins. 
93  camp  kettles. 

23  Sibley  stoves. 

24  sets  hospital  tent  poles. 

5  Sibley  tent  poles,  complete. 
638  hospital  tent  pins,  (large.) 
1,015  hospital  tent  pins,  (small.) 
23  tripods  to  Sibley  tent  poles. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNQ.  H.  DICKERSON, 
Captain  and  Assistant  Quartermaster. 

Major  General  THOMAS  S.  JESUP, 

Quartermaster  General,  United  States  Army. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  U.  T.,  November  30,  185T. 

SIR  :  Special  orders  No.  41,  of  tne  4th  instant,  direct  your  advance 
to  this  army,  and  my  letter  of  the  13th  instant  expressed  the  inten- 
tion of  the  colonel  commanding  to  have  examined,  by  one  or  more 
reliable  persons,  the  route  which  may  enable  you  to  arrive  at  the 
earliest  date  with  your  animals  in  a  condition  for  further  and  imme- 
diate service.  Jeanise  and  Mr.  Bartleson  have  been  charged  with 
this  duty,  and  are  directed  to  report  the  result  of  their  observations 
to  you.  You  know  what  confidence  to  place  in  the  opinion  of  Jeanise ; 
that  of  Mr.  Bartleson,  experienced  in  conducting  ox  trains,  will  mate- 
rially aid  you  in  forming  an  opinion  of  the  practicability  of  the  route. 
Mr.  Bartleson  is  a  man  of  intelligence  and  trustworthy.  As  soon  as 
you  decide  which  route  to  move  upon,  the  colonel  commanding  directs 
you  to  dispatch  Boiderai  (one  of  this  party)  with  a  report  of  their  ex- 
amination and  of  your  decision,  and  other  information  you  may  have 
to  communicate  to  him. 

All  the  subsistence  of  this  army  at  your  post  is  needed  at  the  earliest 
date  practicable,  (I  enclose  a  list  of  what  should  be  with  you.)  Shoes 
and  stockings  in  large  amount,  500  knapsacks  and  2,000  caps  will 
form  part  of  the  necessary  supplies  ;  the  first  two  are  now  wanted. 


108  UTAH    EXPEDITION 

You  will  not  encumber  yourself  with  other  articles,  which,  for  want 
of  transportation  will  have  to  be  stored  here. 

Fifty- three  horses  were  left  by  the  2d  dragoons  at  your  post.  If 
serviceable  when  you  leave,  they  and  all  serviceable  mules  at  Fort 
Laramie  not  needed  for  post  purposes  will  be  driven  with  you  to  this 
point,  employing  herdsmen  if  necessary,  while  the  dragoons  left  at 
your  post  will  form  an  escort. 

The  colonel  commanding,  consulting  the  comfort  and  convenience 
of  the  women  and  children  left  at  Fort  Laramie,  as  well  as  the  in- 
terests of  the  service,  further  enjoins  it  upon  you  not  to  permit  any  of 
them  to  leave  your  post,  where  they  should  be  well  provided  for,  to 
come  with  you.  Want  of  transportation  will  preclude  all  possibility 
of  their  advancing,  while  here  they  will  be  left  shelterless  and  com- 
fortless. It  will  be  well  to  leave  their  husbands  with  them  mr  they  can 
all  join  at  a  future  period,  when  they  will  not  be  subjected  to  suffer- 
ing. 

The  colonel  commanding  wishes  to  be  informed  by  the  return  mes- 
senger of  the  amount  of  clothing  and  other  supplies  at  your  post  for 
this  army,  and  also  directs  all  official  letters  and  orders  directing  the 
movement  of  troops  to  be  acknowledged  by  the  first  opportunity. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Bvt.  Lieut.  Col.  WILLIAM  HOFFMAN, 

6th  Infantry,  Comd'g  Fort  Laramie,  U.  T. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  Black's  Fork  of  Green  river,  Dec.  13,  1857. 

MAJOR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  two  additional  companies 
of  voluteers  have  been  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States 
for  nine  (9)  months,  making  in  all  a  battalion  of  four  companies  of 
men  for  nine  months,  (with  a  few  exceptions  in  Captain  McGraw's 
company,)  numbering  in  the  aggregate  three  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  ;  a  term  of  six  months  would  be  without  utility,  as,  in  that  case, 
the  men  would  be  entitled  to  their  discharge  in  the  midst  of  active 
operations.  A  term  of  twelve  months  was  objectionable,  as  it  would 
bring  the  period  of  discharge  at  so  late  a  season  as  to  make  it  imprac- 
ticable for  the  men  to  return  to  their  homes. 

They  have  been  organized  into  a  battalion,  and  having  unanimously 
elected  Captain  B.  E.  Bee,  tenth  infantry,  to  command,  with  the 
rank  of  lieutenant  colonel,  I  have  directed  him  to  be  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  battalion,  with  the  grade  which  was  thus  voluntarily 
conferred  upon  him. 

The  peculiar  circumstances  attending  the  organization  of  this  bat- 
talion have  prevented  the  formalities  prescribed  by  law  from  being 
observed. 

The  first  company,  McGraw's,  was  received  near  South  Pass,  Ne- 
braska Territory.  These  men  were  needed  immediately  to  aid  in 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  109 

protecting  the  supplies  for  the  army,  and  the  urgency  did  not  allow 
the  time  for  asking  authority  for  their  employment,  nor  to  make  the 
requisition  upon  the  proper  civil  officers. 

Not  doubting  that  additional  force  will  be  wanting  in  the  spring, 
and  knowing  that  a  large  portion  of  the  employes  of  the  contractors 
and  others  could  not  return  to  their  homes  this  winter,  and  that  they 
must  be  subsisted  by  the  government,  as  there  is  no  other  source  from 
which  they  can  obtain  food,  I  did  not  hesitate  to  authorize  the  organ- 
ization of  three  other  companies  of  volunteers,  and  order  them  to  be 
mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States. 

By  this  means  I  have  secured  to  the  government  the  services  of  a 
body  of  men  who  will  be  well  instructed  and  disciplined,  and  who, 
when  required,  can  render  efficient  service.  In  this  case,  also,  from 
our  remoteness  from  general  headquarters,  I  was  obliged  to  act  with- 
out reference  to  the  authority  of  the  general-in-chief ;  and  if  I  had 
obtained  it,  no  call  could  have  been  made,  as  a  state  of  rebellion  was 
existing,  and  still  exists,  in  the  Territory.  Muster-rolls  of  the  several 
companies  have  been  forwarded,  as  required  by  regulations. 

The  sanction  of  the  general-in-chief  to  the  employment  of  these 
men  who  have  thus  bound  themselves  to  serve  their  country  is  neces- 
sary to  secure  their  rights.  I  have  for  that  reason,  as  well  as  on  my 
own  account,  to  request  his  approval  of  my  acceptance  of  their  services ; 
and,  also,  that  he  will  recommend  to  Congress  to  provide  at  an  early 
day  by  an  appropriation  for  their  payment.  They  are  mustered  in 
with  the  pay  and  allowances  of  infantry. 

I  learn  from  an  examination  of  the  post  return  of  Fort  Laramie  that 
the  commander  of  that  post,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hoffman,  has  been 
ordered  to  Fort  Leavenworth  on  a  general  court-martial  by  an  order 
from  the  headquarters  of  the  department  of  the  west. 

I  send  herewith  copies  of  orders  transmitted  to  Colonel  Hoffman, 
who  I  believed  to  be  in  command  of  that  post,  and  who  I  thought 
could  not  be  relieved  from  his  command  by  any  authority  but  iny  own, 
except  that  of  the  general-in-chief  or  Secretary  of  War,  which  will  ac- 
quaint you  with  the  anxiety  I  feel  for  the  certain  and  safe  transit  of 
supplies  for  the  army  in  the  spring,  and  how  much  his  experience  on 
this  frontier  and  energy  was  relied  upon  to  prevent  any  delay  or  dis- 
appointment in  forwarding  them.  I  have  to  request  that  Colonel 
Hoffman  may  be  relieved  from  any  duty  he  may  be  engaged  in,  by 
virtue  of  orders  from  the  department  of  the  west,  and  that  he  may 
be  ordered  to  repair  immediately  to  Fort  Laramie  to  put  in  progress 
the  execution  of  orders  for  bringing  forward  supplies  for  the  army  of 
Utah,  which  were  transmitted  to  him  as  commander  thereof.  I  also 
request  that,  if  additional  force  or  transportation  in  his  opinion  may 
be  necessary,  he  may  be  authorized  to  call  for  whatever  may  be 
needed. 

The  troops  are  in  good  health,  and  very  comfortable  in  their  winter 
quarters. 

I  have  found  it  necessary  to  reduce  the  flour  part  of  the  ration  to 
thirteen  ounces,  and  have  ordered  it  to  be  baked  at  the  expense  of  the 
government,  and  the  whole  proceeds  of  the  flour,  after  baking  it,  to 
be  issued  to  the  men  ;  in  this  way  they  will  receive  about  the  usual 


110  UTAH   EXPEDITION 

amount  of  bread  ;  but  tbey  will  be  deprived  of  the  improvement  of 
their  bill  of  fare  arising  out  of  the  company  fund.  In  this  case  there 
can  be  none.  As  a  matter  of  equity,  I  request  that  the  commissary 
of  subsistence,  after  deducting  the  expense  of  baking,  be  required  to 
pay  to  each  company  the  value  of  the  five  ounces  now  necessarily 
withheld  by  the  government. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Col.  2d  Calvary,  Com'g  Army  of  Utah. 
Major  I.  MCDOWELL, 

Ass'tAdj't  Gen.,  Headq'rsof  the  Army,  N.  T.  City. 


EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT, 
Great  Salt  Lake  City,  U.  T.,  November  26,  1857. 

SIR  :  Being  reliably  informed  that  your  command,  and  the  men  be- 
longing to  the  merchant  trains,  are  much  in  need  of  salt,  I  have  taken 
the  liberty  to  at  once  forward  you  a  load  (some  eight  hundred  pounds) 
by  Messrs.  Henry  Woodard  and  Jesse  J.  Earl.  You  are  perfectly 
welcome  to  the  salt  now  sent ;  but  should  you  prefer  making  any  com- 
pensation therefor,  I  have  to  request  that  you  inform  me,  under  sealed 
envelope,  of  weight  received  and  the  amount  and  kind  of  compensa- 
tion returned.  There  is  no  design  or  wish  to  spy  out  your  position, 
movements,  or  intentions,  through  the  men  now  sent  to  your  camp ; 
but  should  you  entertain  any  dubiety  upon  that  point,  you  are  at 
perfect  liberty  to  stop  and  detain  them  outside  your  encampment, 
during  the  short  time  necessary  for  the  delivery  of  their  loading,  in 
readiness  to  forthwith  start  upon  their  return. 

Should  any  in  your  command  be  suspicious  that  the  salt  now  for- 
warded contains  any  deleterious  ingredients  other  than  those  combined 
in  its  natural  deposition  on  the  shore  of  Great  Salt  Lake,  Mr.  Wood- 
ard or  Mr.  Earl,  in  charge  of  its  transportation  and  delivery,  or 
doubtless  Mr.  Livingston,  Mr.  Gerrish,  Mr.  Perry,  or  any  other  per- 
son in  your  camp  that  is  acquainted  with  us,  will  freely  partake  of  it 
to  dispel  any  groundless  suspicions,  or  your  doctors  may  be  able  to 
test  it  to  your  satisfaction. 

I  have  to  inform  you  that  the  demonstrations  which  have  been  made 
upon  your  animals  and  trains  have  been  made  solely  with  a  view  to 
let  you  emphatically  understand  that  we  are  in  earnest  when  we  as- 
sert, freemen  like,  that  we  will  not  tamely  submit  to  any  longer  hav- 
ing our  constitutional  and  inalienable  rights  trampled  under  foot. 
And,  if  you  are  now  within  our  borders  by  the  orders  of  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  (of  which  I  have  no  official  notification,)  I  have 
further  to  inform  you  that,  by  ordering  you  here  upon  pretexts  solely 
founded  upon  lies,  all  of  which  have  long  since  been  exploded,  the 
President  has  no  more  regard  for  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  the 
United  States,  and  the  welfare  of  her  loyal  citizens,  than  he  has  for 
the  constitution,  laws,  and  subjects  of  the  kingdom  of  Belzebub. 

Of  the  persons  reported  to  be  retained  by  you  as  prisoners,  the  two 
who  are  said  to  have  hailed  from  Oregon  are  entire  strangers  to  us ; 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  Ill 

Mr.  Grow,  on  his  way  here  from  the  States,  is  probably  treated  by 
you  in  a  reasonably  humane  manner,  for  which  you  have  my  thanks, 
as  it  saves  us  the  expense  of  his  board  ;  and  if  you  imagine  that  keep- 
ing, mistreating,  or  killing  Mr.  Stowell  will  redound  to  your  credit 
or  advantage,  future  experience  may  add  to  the  stock  of  your  better 
judgment. 

Colonel  Alexander,  I  am  informed  that  among  the  mules  that  have 
come  into  our  settlements  is  a  small  white  one  belonging  to  you,  and 
a  favorite  of  yours.  The  mule  in  question  arrived  in  poor  condition, 
and,  learning  that  it  was  a  favorite  with  you,  it  gives  me  pleasure  to 
inform  you  that  I  immediately  caused  the  mule  to  be  placed  in  my 
stables,  where  it  is  well  fed  and  cared  for,  and  is  held  subject  to  your 
order ;  but  should  you  prefer  leaving  it  in  my  care  during  the  winter, 
it  will  probably  be  in  better  plight  for  your  use  upon  your  return  to 
the  east  in  the  spiing. 

Trusting  that  the  bearers  of  a  welcome  and  frankly  proffered  gift 
will  be  courteously  received,  and  permitted,  with  their  animals  and 
wagon,  to  peaceably  start  upon  their  immediate  return,  I  have  the 
honor  to  remain,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

'  BEIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 

Col.  A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 

United  States  Army, 

If  he  has  arrived  on  B  lack's  Fork,  or 

Col.  B.  C.  ALEXANDER, 

United  States  Army. 


IN  CAMP,  Nov.  30,  1857. 

SIR  :  Enclosed  to  me  came  this  day  a  letter  from  Gov.  Young,  for 
you  or  Col.  Alexander,  accompanied  by  a  load  of  salt,  also  destined 
for  your  camp,  with  directions  for  me  to  retain  it  if  I  thought  it  ad- 
visable ;  but  preferring  to  have  it  forwarded  to  you,  if  the  condition 
of  the  road  would  allow,  with  a  view  of  gratifying  the  wishes  of  the 
governor,  and  as  the  wagon  cannot  proceed  farther,  I  have  taken 
pleasure,  though  in  the  midst  of  a  furious  snow  storm,  in  fitting  up 
Messrs.  Earl  and  Woodard  with  packs  and  additional  men  and  ani- 
mals, in  order  to  ensure  its  safe  delivery.  The  men  I  send  are  Wm, 
Carloss,  Robert  Willson,  John  Carloss  and  Franklin  Stanley,  for  all 
of  whom  I  ask  the  courtesies,  as  requested  by  his  Excellency  Gov. 
Young,  for  Messrs.  Earl  and  Woodard,  as  these  are  only  sent  to  aid 
in  the  performance  of  the  duty  which  has  been  assigned  to  them.  I 
also  send  you  one  copy  of  the  Deseret  News,  which,  though  somewhat 
worn,  is  the  latest  received  by  me. 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

D4NIEL  U.  WELLS, 
Lieut  Gen.  Commanding  Nauvoo  Legion. 

Col.  A.  S.  JOHNSTON,  U.  S.  A. 


112  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  U.  T.}  December  7,  1857, 

SIR  :  Before  arriving  in  this  Territory,  I  accepted  the  services  of 
a  company  of  volunteers,  and  invited  all  American  citizens  unem- 
ployed to  enroll  themselves  in  companies  of  the  legal  standard.  Your 
absence  prevented  a  call  upon  you  for  the  militia  of  the  Territory,  in 
conformity  to  law,  while  the  rebellion  of  him  who  was  governor  for 
invested  in  me,  as  commander  of  an  army  in  the  field,  and  from  cir- 
the  time  being  debarred  all  appeal  to  that  source.  From  the  power 
cumstances  and  necessity  of  the  case,  I  accepted  the  services  of  three 
other  companies  of  volunteers.  I  have  asked  of  the  government  the 
confirmation  of  my  course,  and  that  appropriations  may  be  made  for 
their  pay  and  other  incidental  expenses  ;  but  as  your  action  may  be 
necessary  to  insure  full  justice  to  this  body  of  patriotic  citizens,  I  re- 
spectfully call  your  attention  to  the  subject,  and  invite  such  action  as 
may  be  necessary. 

Since  your  arrival,  and  the  enrolment  of  these  companies,  the  im- 
portance of  having  a  commander  cognizant  of  the  rules  of  service,  and 
capable  of  imparting  that  instruction  which  will  render  them  service- 
able to  government  and  creditable  to  themselves,  is  fully  appreciated, 
and  I  doubt  not  will  be  by  you  ;  and  I  have  the  honor  to  request  that 
a  commission  may  be  conferred  by  you  upon  whomsoever  they  may 
elect  as  their  commander. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Col.  2d  Cavalry,  commanding. 
His  Excellency  ALFRED  GUMMING, 

Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  U.  T.,  December  7,  1857. 
SIR  :    I  have  been  personally  informed  by  the  captains  of  the  four 
companies  of  volunteers  enrolled  in  the  military  service  of  the  United 
States  of  the  unanimous  election,  by  the  members  of  their  companies, 
of  Captain  Barnard  E.  Bee,  10th  regiment  of  infantry,  as  their  com- 
mander, and  as  a  lieutenant  colonel. 

The  command,  you  are  well  aware,  is  that  of  the  rank  to  which 
Captain  Bee  is  elected,  a  rank  which  the  importance  of  the  command 
renders  desirable  should  be  exercised,  but  which  cannot  carry  its  full 
weight  without  the  commission  conferred  by  you.  That  the  officer 
chosen  is  eminently  worthy  of  the  position,  his  past  services  speak, 
and  warrant  a  fulfillment  of  its  duties  to  the  satisfaction  of  govern- 
ment. I  have  the  honor,  therefore,  to  request  that  he  may  be  ap- 
pointed, and,  at  your  convenience,  commissioned.  In  the  mean  time, 
I  wish  to  be  authorized  to  use  your  name,  as  expressed  in  the  accom- 
panying order. 

With  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  S.  JOHNSTON, 
Colonel  2d  Cavalry,  commanding. 
His  Excellency  ALFRED  GUMMING, 

Governor  of  Utah  Territory. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  113 


CAMP  SCOTT,  Utah  Territory. 

SIR  :  Your  several  communications  of  the  7th  instant,  referring  to 
your  acceptance  of  the  services  of  companies  of  volunteers,  accompa- 
nied by  general  orders  No.  17,  were  placed  in  my  hands  by  Major  F. 
J.  Porter,  assistant  adjutant  general. 

After  a  careful  examination  of  the  statutes  of  this  Territory,  I  am 
compelled  to  decline  making  the  appointment  of  a  lieutenant  colonel, 
to  command  the  volunteer  battalion. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  GUMMING, 
Governor  Utah  Territory. 
Col.  A.  S.  JOHNSTON,  Commanding  Army  of  Utah. 


CAMP  SCOTT,  U.  T.,  December  8,  1857. 

SIE  :  I  have  this  day  commissioned  Captain  Barnard  E.  Bee,  10th 
infantry,  one  of  my  aides-de-camp,  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant  colonel, 
in  which  capacity  you  will  please  recognize  him. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  GUMMING, 
Governor  of  Utah. 
Col.  A.  S.  JOHNSTON,  Commanding  Army  of  Utah. 


HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  UTAH, 
Camp  Scott,  U.  T.,  December  13,  1857. 

SIR  :  The  colonel  commanding  directs  that,  in  anticipation  of  Brevet 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Hoffman's  return  to  Fort  Laramie  in  February,  you 
put  in  progress  the  arrangements  necessary  to  fulfil  the  orders  and  in- 
structions relating  to  supplies  for  this  army,  issued  November  4,  13, 
and  30,  from,  these  headquarters  to  him,  as  commanding  Fort  Laramie. 
Should  Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hoffman  not  arrive  in  time  to 
command  the  expedition,  you  will  assign  Brevet  Major  Gatlin  to  it, 
and  direct  him  to  carry  into  effect  the  instructions  and  orders  referred 
to,  until  relieved  by  Colonel  Hoffman. 

The  colonel  commanding  directs  you  to  select  four  of  the  mounted 
howitzers  and  carriages,  and  a  full  supply  of  ammunition  for  them, 
and  forward  them,  equipped  with  harness,  &c.,  if  practicable,  with 
trains  escorted  by  the  command. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

F.  J.  PORTER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Major  J.  LYNDE,  or  commanding  officer  Fort  Laramie^  N.  T. 

H.  Ex.  Doc.  71 8 


114  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 
Washington,  February  22,  1858. 

SIR  :  The  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States,  adopted  on  the  27th  ultimo,  requesting  the  President,  ccif  not 
incompatible  with  the  public  interest,  to  communicate  to  the  House 
the  information  which  gave  rise  to  the  military  expedition  ordered  to 
Utah  Territory,"  &c.,  &c.,  having  been  transmitted  to  this  depart- 
ment through  the  Secretary  of  State,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  to 
you  herewith  a  copy  of  the  report  of  the  Commissioner  of  the  General 
Land  Office,  of  the  3d  instant,  with  the  accompanying  papers,  and 
also  a  copy  of  the  report  of  the  Acting  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs, 
of  the  22d  instant,  and  accompanying  papers,'  which  comprise  all  the 
correspondence  and  information  on  the  files  of  this  department  within 
the  purview  of  the  resolution. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  THOMPSON, 

Secretary, 

The  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


GENERAL  LAND  OFFICE, 

February  3,  1858. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  ycur  letter  of 
the  29th  ultimo,  in  which  was  enclosed  a  resolution  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  passed  on  the  27th  ultimo,  calling  upon  the  President 
for  the  information  which  gave  rise  to  the  military  expeditions  ordered 
to  Utah  Territory,  and  a  request  made  upon  this  office  for  the  prepara- 
tion of  copies  of  all  papers  and  records  in  its  possession,  which  furnish 
information  within  the  purview  of  this  resolution.  In  reply  thereto, 
I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  to  you  seven  papers  pertaining  to  the 
subject,  as  follows : 

No.  1,  marked  A,  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  David  H.  Burr,  sur- 
veyor general  of  Utah,  dated  August  30,  1856,  giving  information  of 
a  murderous  assault  committed  upon  one  of  his  deputies  by  the 
Mormons,  and  including  a  letter  from  Deputy  Surveyor  C.  L.  Craig, 
speaking  of  the  efforts  of  the  Mormons  to  prejudice  the  Indians  against 
the  authorities  and  people  of  the  United  States. 

No.  2,  marked  B^  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  same  officer,  dated 
September  20,  1856,  representing  a  depredation  committed  upon  the 
property  of  Deputy  Surveyor  Charles  Mogo  by  a  person  supposed  to 
be  high  in  the  councils  of  the  Mormon  church,  and  expressing  the 
opinion  that  there  is  no  safety  for  life  or  property  under  the  Mormon 
rule,  except  where  persons  belong  to  that  sect. 

No.  3,  marked  C,  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  same  officer,  stating 
that  the  clerk  of  the  United  States  supreme  court,  the  acting  district 
attorney,  and  territorial  marshal  of  Utah,  claimed  the  country  as 
theirs,  and  asserted  the  right  to  appropriate  the  public  lands  to  their 
use. 

No.  4,  marked  D,  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  same  gentleman, 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  115 

dated  March  28,  1857.  stating  that  the  Mormons  utterly  repudiate  the 
authorities  of  the  United  States  in  their  country,  and  that  they  are 
in  open  rebellion  against  the  general  government,  and  relating  the 
threats  made  against  his  office,  and  some  outrages  of  their  perpetrating. 

No.  5,  marked  E,  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  same  officer,  dated 
June  11, 1857,  giving  his  reasons  for  leaving  the  Territory,  and  repeat- 
ing the  statements  in  his  letter  of  February  5,  that  the  Mormons 
claimed  the  Territory  as  their  own,  and  regarded  the  officers  of  the 
United  States  surveying  service  as  mere  trespassers. 

No.  6,  marked  F,  is  a  copy  of  a  letter,  dated  October  19,  1857, 
from  the  same  gentleman,  repeating  his  reasons  for  leaving  the  Terri- 
tory, and  enclosing  a  letter  from  C.  G.  Landon,  former  clerk  in  the 
surveyor  general's  office,  giving  an  account  of  the  outrages  committed 
by  the  Mormons  upon  a  colleague  of  his,  named  Wilson,  and  narrating 
the  means  he  (Landon)  adopted  for  making  his  escape. 

No.  7,  marked  G,  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Hon.  Geo. 
C.  Whiting,  Acting  Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office,  on  the 
30th  October,  1855,  enclosing  a  blank  form  of  a  deed  of  trust  which 
the  Mormon  church  uses  in  requiring  its  members  to  convey  to  it 
their  possessions,  not  only  in  the  city,  but  in  the  entire  Territory. 

The  foregoing  are  all  the  papers  in  the  possession  of  this  office, 
which  pertain  to  the  existing  rebellion  in  Utah  Territory. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  obedient  servant, 

THOS.  A.  HENDRICKS, 

Commissioner. 

Hon.  JACOB  THOMPSON, 

Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


A. 

SURVEYOR  GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 
Great  Salt  Lake  City,  August,  30,  1856. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  unpleasant  duty  of  informing  you  that  one  of  my 
deputies,  Mr.  Troskolawski,  was  assaulted  and  severely  beaten  a  few 
days  ago  by  three  men  under  the  direction  of  one  Hickman,  a  noted 
member  of  the  so-called  "  Danite  Band."  Mr.  Troskolawski  was  ac- 
quainted with  Hickman,  and  they  met  at  the  store  of  Messrs.  Hooper 
&  Williams,  a  few  moments  previous,  and  conversed  in  a  friendly 
manner,  and  no  suspicion  was  excited  in  the  mind  of  any  one  that 
Hickman  had  aught  against  Mr.  T.  The  other  three  were  entire 
strangers  to  him.  When  he  left  the  store,  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening, 
they  followed  and  knocked  him  down,  then  kicked  him,  and  beat  him 
with  the  butt  end  of  a  loaded  horsewhip,  Hickman  assisting  and 
urging  them  on  to  "  kill  the  damned  rascal."  Messrs.  Hooper  and 
Williams  interfered  and  prevented  them  from  carrying  out  their 
designs. 

Hickman  asserted  that  he  had  high  authority  for  his  acts,  and  sub- 
sequent events  have  confirmed  me  in  the  impression  that  he  only 
obeyed  counsel.  The  authorities  refused  or  declined  to  institute  crim- 


116  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

inal  proceedings  against  the  offenders  ;  on  the  contrary,  they  justified 
the  act  on  the  ground  that  he  had  heen  talking  and  railing  against 
their  religion.  We,  "  the  Gentiles,"  all  feel  that  we  cannot  rely  upon 
the  laws  for  protection,  and  are  only  permitted  to  live  here  at  the 
pleasure  of  the  rulers.  I  think  the  attack  was  made  upon  Mr.  Tros- 
kolawski,  in  order  to  produce  a  salutary  effect  upon  us  "  Gentiles," 
and  make  us  afraid  to  express  our  opinions. 

Mr.  Troskolawski  was  so  badly  injured,  that  for  several  days  his 
life  was  despaired  of.  He  is  slowly  recovering,  but  probably  will  never 
entirely  recover  from  its  effects.  I  also  send  herewith  enclosed  a  copy 
of  a  letter  from  Deputy  Surveyor  C.  L.  Craig,  which  will  give  you 
some  idea  of  the  feeling  of  this  people  towards  us. 

I  am,  very  resnectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  H.  BURR, 

Surveyor  General  of  Utah . 

Hon.  THOMAS  A.  HENDRICKS, 

Commissioner  of  General  Land  Office. 


Copy  of  the  letter  of  Deputy  Surveyor  C.  L.  Craig,  above  alluded  to. 

CAMP  IN  YOUAB  VALLEY, 

August  1,  1856. 

DEAR  SIR  :  From  information  derived  from  the  Indian  interpreter, 
who  resides  on  the  farm  reservation  near  this  place,  it  appears  that  the 
Mormons  endeavor  to  create  a  prejudice  in  the  minds  of  the  Indians, 
not  only  against  the  Americans,  (as  they  term  us  who  are  not  Mor- 
mons,) but  also  against  the  surveyors.  The  interpreter  informed  us 
that  several  chiefs  had  been  to  him  inquiring  as  to  certain  stories 
which  the  Mormons  had  told  them  concerning  our  operations.  They 
said  they  were  told  we  were  measuring  out  the  land  in  order  to  take 

fossession  of  it,  and  would  drive  away  the  Mormons  and  kill  the 
ndians.  The  Indians  said  they  did  not  believe  these  stories,  for  the 
Mormons  talked  double  ;  that  they  had  come  to  ascertain  the  true 
reason  of  our  proceedings.  Some  of  them  also  visited  my  camp,  and 
told  me  that  the  Mormons  represented  to  them  that  the  Americans 
were  poorer  than  the  Mormons,  and  had  nothing  to  give  them;  but 
said  "  they  knew  the  Mormons  lied  in  this,  for  all  the  Americans  they 
met  with  had  plenty  to  eat  and  plenty  of  presents,  which  they  often 
shared  with  the  Indians,  and  that  it  was  the  Americans  that  were 
making  a  farm  and  raising  grain  to  feed  them  in  winter." 

Arapeen,  a  noted  chief  of  the  Ute  nation,  who  has  been  baptised  in 
the  church,  said  to  me,  afterwards,  that  he  "had  been  told  by  Mor- 
mons, in  Salt  Lake  City,  that  we  intended,  after  surveying  the  lands, 
to  put  the  Indians  in  chains,  and  drive  off  the  Mormons."  These 
facts,  given  to  us  by  the  Indians  themselves,  confirm  a  suspicion  which 
I  have  had  respecting  the  policy  which  the  Mormons  have  been  pur- 
suing in  regard  to  the  Indians,  which  is,  that  they  have  been  endeav- 
oring in  every  possible  way  to  establish  a  difference  between  Mormons 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  117 

and  Americans,  to  prejudice  them  against  the  latter.  Although  these 
designs  have  been  in  some  degree  prevented  by  the  unceasing  efforts 
of  the  efficient  Indain  agent,  Doctor  Hunt,  who  has  endeavored  to 
counteract  the  impression  in  the  minds  of  the  Indians  that  there  is 
any  existing  difference  between  us,  yet  I  have  been  credibly  informed 
that  among  those  Indians  more  remote  from  the  settlements  the 
difference  has  been  established  to  a  degree  which  may  prove  prejudicial 
to  the  surveying  operations  in  those  districts.  I  made  it  a  rule,  when 
they  visited  my  camp,  to  feed  them,  treat  them  kindly,  and  make  them 
some  presents,  and  tell  them  "we  are  all  one  people." 

Notwithstanding  the  suggestions  made  in  the  Deseret  News  to  the 
settlers,  that  they  should  prosecute  the  surveyors  in  their  courts  for 
trespass  upon  their  lands,  we  have  hitherto  met  with  no  difficulty  with 
them.  I  have  always  apprised  them  of  our  business  and  instructions 
given  by  you  to  deputy  surveyors,  which  instructions  I  have  strictly 
adhered  to,  yet  I  had  a  writ  served  upon  me  the  other  day,  issued  by 
the  mayor  of  Payson  City,  (a  small  settlement  containing  some  two 
hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants,)  to  answer  a  charge  for  damages  incurred 
by  running  a  line  across  their  fields.  I  declined  to  appear,  and  took 
no  notice  of  it,  and  have  not  learned  anything  further  about  it.  My 
work  has  progressed  in  a  satisfactory  manner  so  far,  and  I  am  pushing 
it  on  as  fast  as  possible,  consistently  with  that  accuracy  which  is  re- 
quired. I  hope  to  be  able  to  make  returns  of  my  work  in  the  early 
part  of  next  month. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  yours,  &c., 

C.  L.  CRAIG. 

DAVID  H.  BURR,  Esq., 

Surveyor  General  of  Utah. 


B. 

SURVEYOR  GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 

Salt  Lake  City,  September  20,  1856. 

SIR  :  I  have  made  a  contract  with  Charles  Mogo  for  surveying  San 
Pete  valley  and  the  remainder  of  Youab  valley,  and  he  is  at  present 
engaged  on  the  work.  *  *  *  * 

Mr.  Mogo  had  made  all  his  preparations  for  leaving  the  city  to  com- 
mence his  work.  The  night  previous  to  his  intended  departure  ten  of 
his  oxen  were  stolen  from  the  pasture.  He  spent  several  days  in  fruit- 
less search  for  them,  and  then  was  compelled  to  buy  others.  He  had 
all  of  his  cattle  in  the  same  pasture,  but  as  some  of  them  had  another 
man's  brand  on  them,  they  were  supposed  not  to  belong  to  him,  and 
consequently  were  not  taken.  Suspicion  falls  upon  a  noted  character 
who  stands  high  in  the  councils  of  the  church  ;  but  to  convict  or  pun- 
ish him  would  be  impossible,  and  it  is  but  another  evidence  that  the 
laws  here  afford  no  protection  to  life  or  property.  Two  persons 
acknowledge  having  seen  some  men  driving  off  the  cattle,  but  refuse 


118 


UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


to  say  who  they  were,  knowing  full  well  that  their  lives  would  not  be 
safe  if  they  did  so. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  H.  BURR, 
Surveyor  General  of  Utah. 
Hon.  TUGS.  A.  HENDRICKS, 

Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office,  Washington. 


C. 

SURVEYOR  GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 

Salt  Lake  City,  February  5,  1857. 

SIR  :  About  two  weeks  since  I  was  called  upon  by  Mr.  Gumming, 
the  clerk  of  the  United  States  supreme  court  for  this  Territory,  Mr. 
Stout,  the  acting  district  attorney ;  and  Mr.  McRay,  the  territorial 
marshal.  They  presented  a  copy  of  my  letter  to  the  department,  of 
the  12th  May,  1856,  in  which  I  notified  the  department  of  certain 
trespasses  on  the  public  lands. 

They  asked  very  peremptorily  if  I  wrote  the  letter.  I  told  them  I 
did.  They  did  not  deny  the  truth  of  the  charges  I  had  made,  but 
asserted  the  right  of  doing  what  they  did,  stating  that  the  country  was 
theirs ,  that  they  would  not  permit  this  interference  with  their  rights, 
and  this  writing  letters  about  them  would  be  put  a  stop  to  ;  tbat  "  I 
need  not  think  I  could  write  without  their  knowing  it ;  that  I  could 
not  send  letters  down  in  "  cracker  sacks"  without  their  finding  them ; 
and  if  I  employed  persons  to  carry  them,  I  had  better  employ  those 
who  would  not  betray  me,  &c."  The  object  of  the  visit  I  could  not 
divine,  unless  it  was  to  intimidate  me  and  prevent  my  writing. 
I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DAYID  H.  BURR, 
Surveyor  General  of  Utah, 
Hon.  THOS.  A.  HENDRICKS, 

Commissioner  of  General  Land  Office. 


D. 

SURVEYOR  GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 

Salt  Lake  City,  March  28;  1857. 

SIR  :  In  your  letter  of  17th  of  last  October,  which  I  received  a  few 
days  since,  you  refer  me  to  the  act  of  1830  for  the  remedy  against  the 
opposition  that  may  be  made  to  United  States  deputy  surveyors  in  the 
progress  of  their  work.  I  hope  there  will  be  no  serious  interference 
or  interruption  to  the  surveyors  ;  should  there  be,  that  law  will  afford 
no  relief,  as  there  is  no  tribunal  here  to  enforce  it.  The  United  States 
courts  have  been  broken  up  and  driven  from  the  Territory,  and  the 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  119 

Utah  courts,  with  their  usurped  power,  will  not  recognize  the  United 
States  laws,  and  scarcely  their  own,  when  they  conflict  with  their 
schemes. 

Judge  Stiles,  the  only  United  States  judge  remaining  here,  intends 
trying  to  make  his  escape  from  the  Territory  as  soon  as  it  is  possible 
to  get  over  the  mountains,  hut  he  fears  attempts  will  he  made  to  "cut 
him  off."  Knowing  that  our  correspondence  through  the  mails  was 
examined,  he  has  heen  afraid  to  write  an  account  of  affairs  here,  but 
intends  reporting  in  person  if  he  can  get  away.  The  fact  is,  these 
people  repudiate  the  authority  of  the  United  States  in  this  country,  and 
are  in  open  rebellion  against  the  general  government.  I  have  sent  all 
of  my  letters,  excepting  those  relating  purely  to  business  matters,  by 
private  hands,  and  believe  that  most  of  them  have  gone  through  with- 
out being  opened.  Brigham  Young  has  declared  openly  that  the  sur- 
veyors shall  not  be  suffered  to  trespass  on  their  lands  as  they  did  the 
last  season,  and  threats  are  frequently  made  that  any  party  attempting 
to  survey  will  be  "  cut  off."  In  their  public  meetings  the  Mormons 
have  been  told  not  to  engage  in  the  service  of  the  surveyors,  for  they 
would  be  destroyed.  They  have  hitherto  failed  in  their  endeavors  to 
excite  the  Indians  against  us,  and  we  think  will  not  succeed  here- 
after. We  have  from  the  beginning  had  no  fear  except  from  the 
Mormons. 

So  strong  have  been  my  apprehensions  of  danger  to  the  surveyors, 
that  I  scarcely  deemed  it  prudent  to  send  any  out;  but  Mr.  Mogo, 
anxious  to  be  at  work,  concluded  he  would  venture  to  make  the 
attempt.  He  took  twenty-seven  men  with  him,  all  well  armed.  Ke- 
ports  are  already  coming  here  that  the  party  have  been  cut  off,  but  I 
am  satisfied  that  the  reports  are  at  least  premature.  If  he  is  vigi- 
lant, with  the  force  he  has,  I  think  he  may  avoid  an  attack. 

For  the  last  three  months  my  friends  have  considered  my  life  in 
danger.  I  have  been  cursed  and  denounced  in  their  public  meetings, 
and  the  most  diabolical  threats  made  against  me.  I  have  remained 
at  my  post,  partly  to  protect  the  office,  but  more  for  the  reason  that  I 
have  been  hemmed  in  by  the  mountains  of  snow,  and  could  not  get 
away.  Several  houses  of  "  apostate  Mormons"  have  been  pulled 
down,  and  at  one  time  an  attack  was  contemplated  on  the  office,  to 
destroy  its  contents  and  "  wips  me  out."  I  got  notice  of  it  in  time, 
and  kegt  well  guarded.  Several  friends  volunteered  to  protect  me. 
I  had  five  or  six  men  in  the  office  for  nearly  four  weeks,  and  have  not 
had  less  than  three  any  time  this  winter.  The  Mormons,  knowing  we 
were  prepared  for  defence,  hesitated  to  make  an  attack,  and  we  have 
thus  far  escaped.  Affairs  are  rather  more  quiet  now. 

We  are  all,  ic  Gentiles"  and  Mormons,  waiting  the  arrival  of  the 
next  mail  from  the  States  with  much  anxiety.  If  it  should  bring  us 
no  tidings  or  assurance  of  protection  from  the  United  States,  every 
"  Gentile"  officer  may  be  compelled  to  leave  the  Territory.  We  find 
our  position  a  critical  one.  We  are  by  no  means  sure  that  we  would 
be  permitted  to  leave,  for  it  is  boldly  asserted  we  would  not  get  away 
alive.  The  same  threats  have  been  made  against  disaffected  Mor- 
mons. We  were  inclined  to  think  them  idle  menaces,  until  a  few 
days  since,  when  three  men  were  killed  at  Springville,  sixty  miles 


120  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

from  this  place,  for  making  the  attempt.  They  were  shot,  their  throats 
cut,  and  their  bowels  ripped  open.  Another  party  were  fired  upon,  and 
three  of  them  wounded,  one  of  them  seriously.  These  outrages  are 
perpetrated  by  Mormons,  and  we  have  every  reason  to  helieve  by  the 
orders  of  Brigham  Young.  No  efforts  are  made  by  the  authorities 
to  bring  the  perpetrators  to  justice. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  H.  BURR, 
Surveyor  General  of  Utah. 
Hon.  THOMAS  A.  HENDRICKS, 

Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office. 


E. 

WASHINGTON,  June  11, 185 T. 

SIR  :  Having  become  satisfied  that  it  was  no  longer  safe  for  me  to 
remain  in  Utah,  without  the  special  protection  of  the  general  govern- 
ment, I  determined  to  leave  ;  and  it  becomes  my  duty  to  state  to  the 
department  the  causes  which  impelled  me  to  do  so. 

In  common  with  all  who  do  not  belong  to  the  Mormon  church,  I 
had,  from  my  first  advent  among  them,  been  looked  upon  by  the  rulers 
of  that  church  and  people  as  an  alien,  an  enemy,  and  an  intruder  upon 
their  rights.  But  while  they  looked  upon  my  operations  there  with 
no  friendly  eye,  and  through  their  newspapers  advised  the  people  to 
commence  suits  against  the  suveyors  for  trespass  upon  their  lands,  no 
open  hostility  was  evinced  against  me  personally,  until  last  February, 
when  a  copy  of  a  letter  which  I  had  addressed  to  the  department  in 
the  month  of  July  preceding,  charging  Brigham  Young  with  exten- 
sive depredations  upon  the  public  lands,  was  received  there. 

This  accusation  against  the  head  of  the  church  provoked  their 
special  displeasure,  and  I  was  waited  upon  by  three  prominent  men, 
namely  :  Hozen  Stout,  acting  United  States  district  attorney  ;  James 
Cummin gs,  clerk  of  the  United  States  district  court,  and  Alexander 
McRay,  the  territorial  marshal,  who,  after  demanding  whether  I  had 
written  such  a  letter,  and  receiving  a  categorical  answer  that  I  did, 
told  me,  in  the  most  peremptory  manner,  that  I  would  not  be  permitted 
to  write  such  letters,  declaring  that  all  my  letters  would  be  Examined ; 
and  if  adverse  to  their  views  and  interests,  should  never  leave  the 
Territory,  saying  that  I  could  not  send  them  out  clandestinely,  for 
they  would  pi  event  every  effort  I  might  make  to  do  so.  These  threats 
were  accompanied  by  asseverations  that  the  country,  and  all  that  ap- 
pertained to  it,  belongs  to  them ;  that  their  exertions  had  made  it 
what  it  was  ;  that  they  had  earned  it,  and  were  determined  to  keep  it, 
and  would  permit  no  interference  with  their  rights.  From  that  time 
forward  continued  attempts  were  made  to  excite  the  populace  against 
me.  Demonstrations  of  mob  violence  and  inflammatory  appeals  by 
the  leaders  to  the  worst  feelings  of  the  people  were  frequently  made, 
and  I  was  repeatedly  warned  by  friends  that  my  life  was  in  imminent 
danger,  and  they  advised  me  to  seek  safety  in  flight. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  121 

A  concerted  scheme  to  mob  me  and  destroy  the  office  in  the  night 
was  concocted,  and  only  failed  to  be  executed  by  dissensions  among 
the  leaders  of  the  "  Danites." 

Unwilling  to  abandon  my  post,  I  remained  until  I  saw  that  the 
laws  and  authority  of  the  United  States  had  been  set  aside  and  repu- 
diated, the  federal  courts  broken  up,  and  the  judges  and  other  officers 
thereof  prevented  from  exercising  their  functions,  and  they  had,  with 
nearly  all  the  "  Q-entiles,"  determined  to  leave  the  Territory.  I  hold 
myself  ready  to  return  to  my  post  as  soon  as  I  can  do  so  with  safety. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  H.  BURR, 
Surveyor  General  of  Utah. 
Hon.  THOS.  A.  HENDRICKS, 

Commissioner  General  Land  Office. 


F. 

WASHINGTON,  October  19,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  heretofore  apprised  the  department  that  fears  for  my 
personal  safety  compelled  me  to  leave  Utah  Territory  in  order  to  seek 
protection  from  the  general  government. 

The  following  accounts  make  me  apprehensive  that  the  office  of  the 
surveyor  general  may  have  been  destroyed  by  order  of  Brigham  Young. 
When  I  left  I  thought  the  hostility  of  the  Mormon  leaders  was 
directed  against  me  only,  and  that  neither  the  office  nor  the  clerks 
would  be  molested  during  my  absence;  but  it  appears  I  was  mistaken. 
Some  Californians,  who  passed  through  Salt  Lake  City  the  latter  part 
of  July,  reported  that,  while  there,  the  Mormons  went  in  the  night 
to  the  surveyor  general's  office,,  broke  it  open,  and  took  out  Mr. 
Wilson,  one  of  the  clerks,  put  a  rope  around  his  neck  and  a  pistol  to 
his  head,  and,  under  threats  of  his  life,  made  him  ans  <ver  questions,  (the 
nature  of  the  questions  I  did  not  learn,)  and  released  him  only  on  a 
promise  that  he  would  bring  Mr.  Mogo,  one  of  the  deputy  surveyors, 
to  them  the  next  day.  They  went  after  Mr.  Landon  (the  other  clerk) 
at  the  same  time,  but  he,  by  jumping  out  of  a  second  story  window, 
made  his  escape,  and  it  was  rumored  that  he  had  gone  south,  and  had 
been  killed. 

The  Californians  left  the  next  morning,  and  did  not  know  how  the 
matter  ended.  Mr.  Mogo,  fearing  for  his  life,  left  immediately  with 
them,  and  came  as  far  as  Laramie. 

This  account  is  corroborated  by  the  accompanying  letter  just  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  Landon. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  H.  BURR. 

Hon.  THOS  A,  HENDRICKS, 

Commissioner  of  General  Land  Office. 


1*22  UTAH   EXPEDITION, 


PLACERVILLE,  CALIFORNIA, 

September  18,  1857. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  embrace  the  earliest  opportunity  after  my  arrival  here 
of  transmitting  you  a  few  facts  that  may  be  of  some  interest,  if  not 
of  importance.  I  reached  here  on  Saturday,  the  12th  instant,  weary, 
worn,  footsore,  and  nearly  famished,  having  walked  nearly  all  the 
way  from  Salt  Lake  City  barefooted  and  nearly  naked  ;  but  I  will 
confine  myself  to  the  statement  of  a  few  facts  for  the  present,  and  the 
next  mail  you  may  expect  my  deposition  in  due  form,  giving  the  par- 
ticulars of  of  the  Mormon  doings  and  some  of  their  intentions. 

On  Saturday,  the- 25th  of  July,  while  engaged  in  conversation  with 
some  emigrants,  I  was  assaulted  by  a  posse  of  Mormons,  headed  by 

Dick  Pettit  and Thompson,  who  beat  me  with  stones  and  clubs 

most  unmercifully.  The  emigrants  were  about  to  rally  to  my  pro- 
tection and  assistance,  but  I  dissuaded  them  from  their  purpose,  telling 
them  that  it  would  only  result  in  the  destruction  of  them  all.  I  made 
my  way  home,  and  by  the  time  I  reached  there  I  was  perfectly  insensible. 
I  was  then  living  next  door  to  the  office.  Matters  were  quiet  enough 
until  Monday,  with  the  exception  that  they  (Mormons)  made  an  attempt 
the  same  afternoon  to  stone  Mr.  Mogo,  who  was  coming  to  the  office.  He 
had  to  retreat  in  a  store.  On  Monday  night,  the  27th  July,  about  mid- 
night, I  being  awake,  trying  to  soothe  the  many  pains  of  the  wounds 
that  the  Mormons  had  inflicted  upon  me,  I  was  startled  by  hard 
knocking  at  the  front  and  back  door  of  the  office.  I  heard  Mr.  Wilson 
ask  from  the  window  above  what  was  wanted.  They  demanded  that  he 
should  come  down  and  give  himself  up,  by  the  authority  of  Brigham 
Young.  The  next  I  heard  was  a  crash,  the  door  being  burst  open, 
and  Mr.  Wilson  in  conversation  with  them.  Amid  the  shrieks  and 
cries  of  his  wife,  begging  them  not  to  take  him  away,  they  brutally 
telling  her  to  keep  her  mouth  shut  and  stop  her  noise,  or  they  would 
would  make  her.  I  heard  Mr.  Wilson  ask  where  they  were  going  to  take 
him,  and  what  for?  The  answer  was,  "  come  along,  and  no  fuss,  or 
we'll  d — n  soon  show  you."  I  was  almost  powerless  from  my  wounds, 
and  could  form  no  idea  what  to  do.  I  was  trying  to  think,  when 
suddenly  my  back  door  was  forced  open,  and  in  rushed  a  party  of 
ruffians  and  assassins.  Among  them  I  was  able  to  distinguish  the 
voices  of  Pettit  and  Thompson,  who  demanded  that  I  should  come 
down  stairs.  I  arose  and  put  on  my  pants  and  one  stocking,  when 
the  thought  struck  me  that,  if  they  secured  us  both,  we  would  surely 
be  murdered.  I  resolved  to  try  my  best  to  escape,  and  cautiously  took 
out  the  window  sash,  when  Pettit  called  me  to  make  haste  and  come 
down.  I  told  them  I  was  coming  ;  they  made  a  rush  for  the  stairs. 
As  they  did  so,  I  jumped  out  of  the  window  and  escaped  to  the  house 
of  a  friend,  where  I  remained  until  daylight.  Having  procured  a 
disguise,  the  next  evening  I  travelled  along  the  banks  of  the  Jordan 
and  Salt  Lake  until  daylight,  when  I  struck  for  the  mountains.  I 
had  not  more  than  reached  a  place  of  concealment,  when  I  saw  seven 
mounted  men  in  pursuit  of  me.  I  escaped  narrowly  twice.  Once, 
near  Weber  canon,  they  came  within  ten  feet  of  me.  They  followed 
me  to  Willow  creek,  where  the  Indians  were  levying  a  tax  of  a 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  123 

blanket  and  shirt  on  every  emigrant.  My  pursueis  were  heard  to  say, 
"let  him  go,  the  Indians  will  get  him  before  he  goes  far  down  the 
Humboldt." 

The  Indians  have  got  many  a  poor  fellow  on  that  river  this  summer. 
Men,  women,  and  children,  have  been  slaughtered  by  wholesale.  One 
woman  was  scalped  alive,  and  her  child's  brains  knocked  out  over  the 
wagon  wheel.  The  woman  is  still  living.  I  could  tell  a  dozen  such  in- 
stances, but  have  not  time.  I  saw  on  the  road  the  Indian  Peter  who 
used  to  come  to  the  office.  He  told  me  that  Brigham  Young  had  sent 
him  out  to  get  pungo  (horses)  and  carabines  (guns.)  He  knew  me, 
and  said  I  was  wano,  (good,)  because  I  had  often  given  him  biscope, 
red  paint,  &c.  He  said  "there  were  heap  Indians  on  the  Humboldt, 
got  heap  pungos,  heap  carbines,"  &c.  I  had  not  left  him  an  hour  be- 
fore he  shot  a  man  with  four  balls,  but  the  man  escaped  not  much  in- 
jured. I  cannot  recount  the  sufferings  I  endured  while  on  the  road. 
I  travelled  from  Carson  Valley  here  with  but  two  biscuits  to  eat,  and 
now  I  am  working  in  a  stone  quarry,  nearly  naked  and  barefooted,  for 
very  little  more  than  my  food. 

The  Mormons  are  all  leaving  here  and  Carson  Valley  for  the  pur- 
pose of  defending  Zion. 

Your  humble  servant, 

DAVID  H.  BURR,  Esq.  C.  G.  LANDON. 


G. 

SURVEYOR  GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 
Salt  Lake  City,  September  30,  1855. 

SIR  :  The  accompanying  map  of  Salt  Lake  City  exhibits  the  extent 
to  which  the  streets  have  been  opened  and  the  ground  built  upon. 
The  corporate  limits  extend  several  miles  each  way,  but  there  are  very 
few  dwellings  outside  of  the  lines  exhibited  on  the  map.  The  out- 
lots  are  used  by  residents  in  the  city  for  agricultural  purposes. 

The  Mormon  church  has  called  upon  its  members  (and  they  em- 
brace almost  the  entire  population)  to  convey  to  it  their  possessions.  I 
send  herewith  a  blank  form  of  a  deed  of  trust  used  in  such  convey- 
ances. Many,  if  not  most,  of  the  people  have  yielded  to  the  require- 
ment, and  it  is  expected  that  nearly  all  of  them  will  do  it.  This 
call  embraces  not  only  the  city  property,  but  that  of  the  entire  Terri- 
tory. 

The  provisions  of  "  An  act  for  the  relief  of  the  citizens  of  towns  on 
the  lands  of  the  United  States,"  &c.,  passed  May  2H,  1844,  will  not 
meet  the  exigencies  of  the  case  in  this  city.  It  will  be  seen  that  the 
city  proper  occupies  more  than  three  full  sections.  Therefore,  if  the 
government  should  deem  it  expedient  to  give  the  residents  (who  have 
not  surrendered  their  possessions  to  the  church)  the  right  of  pre-emp- 
tion to  the  lots  they  occupy,  some  special  legislation  will  be  necessary. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  most  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  H.  BURR, 
Surveyor  General  of  Utah. 

Hon.  G.  C.  WHITING, 

Acting  Commissioner  General  Land  Office. 


124  UTAH  EXPEDITION. 

Be  it  known  by  these  presents,   that  ,   of  ,  in  the 

county  of ,  and  Territory  of  Utah,  for  and  in  consideration  of 

the  good  will  which have  to  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of 

Latter  Day  Saints,  give  and  convey  unto  Brigham  Young,  trustee,  in 
trust  for  said  church,  his  successors  in  office,  and  assigns,  all  - 
claim  to,  and  ownership  of,  the  following  described  property,  to  wit: 

together  with  all  the  rights,  privileges,  and  appurtenances  thereunto 

belonging  or  appertaining.     also  covenant  and   agree  that 

is  the  lawful  claimant  and  owner  of  said  property,  and  will 

warrant  and  forever  defend  the  same,  unto  the  said  trustee  in  trust, 

his  successors  in  office,  and  assigns,  against  the  claims  of ,  heirs, 

assigns,  or  any  person  whomsoever. 
Witnesses  : 

TERRITORY  OF  UTAH,  County  of . 

I ,  of ,  certify  that  the  signers  of  the  above  transfer, 

personally  known  to  me,  appeared  this day  of ,  A.  D. 

185-,  and  acknowledged  that  — • ,  of own  choice,  executed 

the  foregoing  transfer. 


DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 
Office  Indian  Affairs,  February  22,  1858. 

SIR  :  In  obedience  to  your  instructions  of  30th  January,  to  furnish 
you  with  copies  of  all  papers  on  file  in  the  Indian  office  which  are 
embraced  in  the  resolution  of  the  House  of  Kepresentatives,  dated 
January  27,  calling  for  information  as  to  the  Utah  expedition,  &c., 
I  have  the  honor  herewith  to  transmit  to  you  the  papers  called  for,  and 
numbered  in  the  accompanying  schedule  from  No.  1  to  No.  46.  The 
correspondence  being  quite  voluminous,  I  beg  leave  to  invite  your  at- 
tention to  its  more  prominent  and  pertinent  parts. 

As  early  as  February  10,  1852,  complaints  reached  this  office 
against  Governor  Brigham  Young  and  his  followers,  who  are  repre- 
sented by  Agent  Holeman,  in  his  letter  marked  No.  1,  as  encroaching 
upon  "the  Indians,  and  making  settlements  throughout  the  Territory 
on  all  the  most  valuable  lands  ;"  that  it  was  generally  believed  that 
all  the  letters  of  the  "Gentiles"  were  opened  by  the  Mormon  post- 
master, and  that  Brigham  Young  "  made  use  of  his  office  as  superin- 
tendent and  of  the  money  of  the  government  to  promote  the  interests 
of  his  church." 

This  statement  was  confirmed  by  the  report  of  Sub-Agent  H.  B. 
Day,  (marked  Xo.  2,)  who  had  left  his  post,  and  who  gives  the  rea- 
sons for  so  doing  in  his  letter,  marked  No.  3. 

Agent  Holeman,  in  his  letter  dated  December  28,  1851,  marked 
No.  4,  being  at  that  time  the  only  government  officer  not  a  Mormon 
left  in  the  Territory,  relates  a  singular  instance  of  how  the  Mormons 
went  to  the  work  of  annoying  him,  with  the  view,  no  doubt,  of  in- 
ducing him  to  return  to  the  States. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  125 

All  the  documents  herewith  presented,  from  No.  4  to  No.  20,  in- 
clusive, covering  the  space  of  two  years  and  a  half,  gradually  develop 
the  policy  pursued  by  the  Mormons,  which  aimed  at  the  establishment 
of  an  independent  Mormon  empire. 

To  effect  this  they  incited  the  Indians  against  the  "  Gentiles,"  ar- 
rogated the  eminent  domain  over  the  Indian  territory,  over  which  the 
Indian  title  was  not  yet  extinguished,  and  taxed  the  emigrants  pass- 
ing through  Utah  on  their  way  to  California  and  Oregon.  For  sub- 
stantiation of  these  points,  allow  me  to  invite  your  attention  especially 
to  Nos.  6,  11,  13,  and  17.  If  any  doubts,  however,  had  been  enter- 
tained with  regard  to  the  truth  of  these  statements,  they  were  set  at 
rest  by  Governor  Young  in  his  letter  to  this  office,  dated  June  26, 
1855,  in  which  the  following  passage  occurs  :  "  I  do  not  care  a  groat 
whether  the  department  or  the  government  ever  contribute  a  penny 
towards  the  support  of  the  Indian  relations,  for  the  suppression  of 
Indian  hostilities,  or  any  other  public  purpose  or  object  in  or  for  the 
Territory  of  Utah." 

As  early  as  April  10,  1854,  this  office  made  a  report  (marked  No. 
17)  to  the  department,  requesting  that  immediate  steps  should  be 
taken  to  separate  the  superintendency  of  Indian  affairs  for  Utah  from 
the  office  of  governor  of  said  Territory,  which,  however,  was  not  ef- 
fected until  during  the  last  session  (the  thirty-fourth)  of  Congress. 
In  1855  Colonel  Steptoe  was  appointed  governor  and  ex-officio  super- 
intendent of  Indian  affairs  in  Utah,  but  he  never  entered  upon  duty. 
In  relation  to  this  matter,  I  beg  leave  to  invite  your  attention  to  Nos. 
20£  and  20|. 

in  May,  1855,  information  reached  this  office  from  Agent  Hurt 
(No.  22)  that  the  Mormons  had  resolved  to  send  out  a  large  number 
of  missionaries  to  the  Indians,  with  the  intent  to  teach  them  that  the 
Indians  were  the  rightful  owners  of  the  American  soil,  that  it  had 
been  wrongfully  taken  from  them  by  the  whites,  and  that  the  Great 
Spirit  had  sent  the  Mormons  among  them  to  help  them  recover  their 
rights. 

The  letters  marked  Nos.  25,  26,  and  2*7,  written  August  30  and 
October  31,  1856,  respectively,  show  that  these  statements  of  Agent 
Hurt  were  not  mere  assertions. 

No.  28  is  a  letter  of  Governor  Young,  dated  September  12,  1857, 
which  was  replied  to  by  this  office  (No.  29)  on  November  11,  1857. 

The  documents  from  Nos.  30  to  46,  inclusive,  show  forth  the  mea- 
sures taken  by  this  office  to  meet  the  emergencies  created  by  the  trea- 
sonable designs  of  the  deluded  Mormons  and  their  ambitious  leaders, 
and  display  further  outrages  and  indignities  of  these  fanatical  men 
against  the  government  and  its  officers. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

CHARLES  E.  MIX, 

Acting  Commissioner. 

Hon.  JACOB  THOMPSON, 

Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


126  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 


List  of  documents,  numbered  1  to  46,  transmitted  by  the  Acting  Com- 
missioner of  Indian  Affairs,  in  obedience  to  the  direction  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Interior,  dated  January  30,  1858,  to  furnish  copies  of  all 
papers  on  file  in  the  Indian  office,  embraced  in  the  resolution  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  dated  January  27,  1858,  requesting  the 
President  of  the  United  States  ' '  to  communicate  to  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives the  information  which  gave  rise  to  the  military  expedition 
ordered  to  Utah  Territory,"  &c.,  &c. 

1. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  November  28,  1851. 
2. — Letter  from  Sub-Agent  H.   R.   Day  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Washington  City,  January,  2,  1852. 
3. — Letter  from  Sub-Agent  H.  R.  Day  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Washington  city,  January  93  1852. 
4. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to   Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  December  28,  1851. 
5. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  February  29,  1852. 
6. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  March  29,  1852. 
7. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  April  29,  1852. 
8. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Governor  Brigham  Young, 

dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  April  19,  1852. 
9.— Letter  from  Sub-Agent  H.  R.  Day  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Washington  cit}r,  June  2,  1852. 
10. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  May  2,  1852. 
11. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  May  8,  1852. 
12. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  August  30,  1852. 
13. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  dated  Fort  Bridger,Utah  Territory,  November  3,1852. 
14. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Webber  Station,  March  5,  185S. 
15. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  April  29,  1853. 
16. — Letter  from  Agent  J.  H.  Holeman  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  May  12,  1853. 
17. — Report  from  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  to  Secretary  of  the 

Interior,  dated  April  10,  1854. 
18. — Report  from  Acting  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  to  Secretary 

of  the  Interior,  dated  September  15, 1854. 

19. — Letter  from  Lieutenant  H.  B.   Fleming  to  Commissioner  of  In- 
dian Affairs,  dated  Fort  Laramie,  August  15,  1854. 
20. — Letter  from  John  M.  Hockaday,  esq.,  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  June  17,  1854. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION  127 

20  J. — Report  from  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  to  Secretary  of  the 
Interior,  dated  March  21,  1855. 

20f. — Letter  from  Secretary  of  the  Interior  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  dated  March  22,  1855. 

21. — Letter  from  Governor  Brigham  Young  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  June  26,  1855. 

22. — Report  from  Acting  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  to  Secre- 
tary of  the  Interior,  dated  July  10,  1855. 

23. — Letter  from  Agent  Garland  Hurt  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  May  2,  1855. 

24. — Memoranda  for  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  from  Acting  Com- 
missioner of  Indian  Affairs,  dated  August  15,  1855. 

24^. — Letter  from  Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  E.  J.  Steptoe  to  Com- 
missioner of  Indian  Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  April 
5,  1855. 

25. — Letter  from  Agent  Garland  Hurt  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  August  30,  1856. 

26. — Letter  from  Agent  Garland  Hurt  to  Governor  Brigham  Young, 
dated  Office  of  Indian  Agent,  Utah,  October  31,  1856. 

27. — Letter  from  Agent  Garland  Hurt  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  November  20,  1856. 

28. — Letter  from  Governor  Brigham  Young  to  Commissioner  of  In- 
dian Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  September  12,  1857. 

29. — Letter  from  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  to  Governor  Brig- 
ham  Young,  dated  Washington  city,  November  11,  1857. 

30. — Letter  from  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  to  Superintendent 
J.  L.  Collins,  Santa  Fe,  dated  November  24,  1857. 

31. — Letter  from  Agent  and  Acting  Superintendent  S.  M.  Yost  to 
Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  dated  Santa  Fe,  January  14r 
1858. 

32. — Report  from  Acting  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  to  Secretary 
of  the  Interior,  dated  September  22,  1857. 

33. — Letter  from  Agent  Thomas  S.  Twiss  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  dated  Agency  of  the  Upper  Platte,  Raw  Hide  creek, 
July  13,  1857. 

34. — Report  from  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  to  Secretary  of  the 
Interior,  dated  November  7,  1857. 

35. — Letter  from  Superintendent  John  Haverty  to  Commissioner  of 
Indian  Affairs,  dated  St.  Louis,  November  2,  1857. 

36. — Letter  from  Agent  Thomas  S.  Twiss  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  dated  Agency  of  the  Upper  Platte,  Raw  Ride  creek, 
September  15,  1857. 

37. — Letter  from  Secretary  of  the  Interior  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  dated  November  9,  1857. 

38. — Letter  from  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  to  Superintendent 
John  Haverty,  dated  November  11,  1857. 

39. — Letter  from  Agent  Thomas  S.  Twiss  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs,  dated  Agency  of  the  Upper  Platte,  Deer  creek,  No- 
vember 7,  1857. 

40. — Letter  from  Acting  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  to  Agent 
Thomas  S.  Twiss,  dated  January  11,  1858. 


128  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

41. — Letter  from   William  Henry  Forbes  to  Major  W.   J.   Cullen, 

dated  St.  Paul,  February  2,  1858. 
42. — Letter  from  Superintendent  J.  Forney  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Camp  Scott,  December  14,  1857. 
43. — Letter  from  Agent  Garland  Hurt  to  Superintendent  J.  Forney, 

dated  Fort  Bridger,  December  4,  1857. 
44. — Letter  from  Agent  Garland  Hurt  to  Colonel  A.   S.  Johnston, 

dated  Camp  on  Sweet  Water,  October  24,  1857. 
45. — Letter  from  Governor  Brigbam  Young  to  Commissioner  of  Indian 

Affairs,  dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  October  7,  1857. 
46. — Letter  from  Governor  Brigbam  Young  to  Agent  Garland  Hurt, 

dated  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  September  26,  1857. 

Addenda. 

47. — Letter  from  George  W.  Armstrong  to  Secretary  of  tbe  Interior, 

dated  City  of  Provo,  December  1,  1857. 
48. — Letter  from  Brigbam  Young  to  George  W.  Armstrong,  dated 

Great  Salt  Lake  City,  October  16, 1857. 


No.  1. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY, 
Utah  Territory,  November  28,  1851. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  bave,  according  to  instructions,  made  a  report  to  his 
excellency  Governor  Young,  exofficio  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs, 
in  which  I  have  given  a  statement  of  my  accounts  and  transactions 
•generally.  But  owing  to  a  difficulty  which  occurred  between  the 
governor,  Judge  Brocchus,  and  other  officers  of  government  during  my 
absence  at  Laramie,  I  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  touch  on  matters 
connected  with  the  conduct  of  the  governor,  and  the  Mormons  in  gen- 
eral, in  my  report,  as  it  had  to  pass  through  the  hands  of  the  governor. 
It  was  not,  however,  because  I  feared  that  anything  I  would  state 
could  or  would  be  controverted  by  the  governor,  but  because  I  feared 
that  if  I  said  anything  which  he  might  not  like  in  my  report  that  it 
would  never  reach  you.  The  "  Gentiles,"  as  we  are  all  called  who  do 
not  belong  to  the  Mormon  church,  have  no  confidence  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  post  office  here.  It  is  believed  by  many  that  there  is  an 
examination  of  all  letters  coming  and  going,  in  order  that  they  may 
ascertain  what  is  said  of  them,  and  by  whom  it  is  said.  This  opinion 
is  so  strong,  that  all  communications  touching  their  character  or  con- 
duct are  either  sent  to  Bridger  or  Laramie,  there  to  be  mailed.  I 
send  this  communication,,  through  a  friend,  to  Laramie,  to  be  there 
mailed  for  the  States. 

I  alluded  in  my  report  to  the  necessity  of  adopting  such  measures 
by  the  general  government  as  would  protect  the  Indians  in  this  Ter- 
ritory ;  they  are  becoming  very  much  excited  by  the  encroachments  of 
the  Mormons,  as  they  are  making  settlements  throughout  the  Ter- 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  129 

ritory  on  all  tlie  most  valuable  lands,  extending  these  settlements  for 
near  three  hundred  miles  from  this  city.  In  the  first  settlement  of  this 
city  and  the  adjoining  country  "by  the  Mormons,  they  at  first  concili- 
ated the  Indians  "by  kind  treatment ;  but  when  they  once  got  a  foot- 
hold,, they  began  to  force,  their  way ;  the  consequence  was  a  war  with 
the  Indians,  and  in  many  instances,  a  most  brutal  butchery.  This 
they  fear  will  be  the  result  wherever  the  Mormons  may  make  a  settle- 
ment. The  Indians  have  been  driven  from  their  lands,  and  their 
hunting  grounds  destroyed,  without  any  compensation  therefor.  They 
are  in  many  instances  reduced  to  a  state  of  suffering  bordering  on 
starvation.  In  this  situation  some  of  the  most  daring  and  desperate, 
approach  the  settlements  and  demand  compensation  for  their  lands, 
when  upon  the  slightest  pretents  they  are  shot  down  or  driven  to  the 
mountains.  These  scenes  frequently  occur;  but  the  other  day  an 
Indian  was  found  dead  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city,  shot  through  the 
body. 

You  will  be  informed,  no  doubt,  by  Judge  Brocchus,  Secretary  Har- 
ris and  others,  officers  of  the  government,  who  have  lately  returned 
from  this  city  to  the  States,  of  the  conduct  and  character  of  Governor 
Young,  his  treatment  to  them,  &c.  I  was  not  here  at  the  time  ;  on 
my  arrival  in  the  city,  I  found  the  governor  absent,  on  an  expedition 
to  the  Indians,  some  150  miles  distant  from  the  city.  He  had  taken 
with  him  sub-Agent  S.  B.  Rose,  who  is  a  Mormon,  with  several  hun- 
dred dollars'  worth  of  Indian  goods  as  presents,  for  the  purpose,  no 
doubt,  of  conciliating  the  Indians  and  getting  their  permission  to  ex- 
tend his  settlements,  thus  making  use  of  his  office  as  superintendent, 
and  the  money  of  the  government  to  promote  the  interest  of  his 
church.  Therefore  it  seems  to  me  that  no  Mormon  should,  officially, 
have  anything  to  do  with  the  Indians.  I  have  no  doubt  but  every 
effort  will  be  made  by  the  Mormons  to  prevent  the  government  from 
peaceably  extending  her  laws  over  the  Territory.  Since  the  departure 
of  the  judges,  &c.,  they  have  levied  additional  taxes  on  all  classes,  of 
ten  cents  on  the  dollar  on  all  description  of  property ;  this,  it  is  thought, 
is  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  to  resist  the  government. 

I  should  be  pleased  to  receive  some  instructions  in  relation  to  my 
duties  here.  I  do  not  know  how  to  act  in  many  cases,  and  I  fear  that 
in  acting  from  nay  judgment,  I  may  transcend  my  powers,  if  I  have  not 
done  so  already.  I  think  it  would  be  advisable  to  hold  a  treaty  with  the 
Indians  as  soon  as  is  convenient ;  they  are  generally  friendly  disposed 
towards  the  whites.  A  deputation  of  some  of  their  principal  men  to* 
visit  the  States  would  have  a  very  good  effect.  They  know  nothing 
of  the  power  of  the  government,  or  the  number  and  manner  of  living, 
of  our  people. 

I  fear  you  will  think  me  extravagant  in  the  expenditure  of  money, 
but  I  assure  you  things  are  quite  different  here  from  what  they  are  in 
the  States;  every  thing  here  is  from  three  to  five  hundred  per  cent.,, 
consequently  our  living,  although  much  more  common,  is  very  dear.  It 
was  the  first  attempt  that  had  been  made  by  the  government  to  estab- 
lish friendly  relations  with  the  Indians  in  this  Territory,  and  I  thought 
that  a  few  dollars  \ras  a  matter  of  no  importance,  when  compared  with: 
the  effect  which  would  be  produced  upon  their  feelings  by  showing, 

H.  Ex.  Doc.  Yl 9 


130  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

them,  that  their  "  Great  Father"  would  be  good  to  them,   if  they 
would  treat  the  whites  with  kindness,  &c. 

The  Indians  are  very  much  scattered  in  this  Territory.     We  want 
a  few  more  sub-agents  ;  if  the  pay  could  be  raised  we  would  all  be  able 
to  do  more  good.     I  will  communicate  with  you  again  about  the  last 
of  December. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 
Indian  Agent,  Utah  Territory. 

Hon.  L.  LEA,  Commissioner  Indian  Affairs, 

Washington  City,  I).  C. 


No.  2. 

WASHINGTON  CITY,  D.  C., 

January  2,  1852. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  agreeably  to  instructions  from 
your  department  I  proceeded  to  the  Territory  of  Utah,  and  after  a 
tedious  trip  arrived  at  the  city  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake  on  the  19th  of 
July. 

On  the  21st  I  officially  reported  myself  to  his  excellency  Brigham 
Young,  governor  and  ex  officio  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs,  for 
"  instructions,  location,  &c.,"  as  instructed  by  your  department. 

After  the  elapse  of  a  few  days  I  received  a  note  from  the  governor 
locating  me  in  the  first  or  "  Parvan  district,"  with  verbal  instructions 
to  remain  in  the  city  of  Great  Salt  Lake  until  spring  before  L  perma- 
nently established  my  agency. 

The  tribes  or  bands  in  my  agency  are  composed  of  the  Snake  Dig- 
gers or  Cum-em-bars,  which  are  the  desert  Indians,  inhabiting  west 
of  the  Tooele,  Yoab,  and  Sevier  valleys. 

There  is  a  tribe  known  as  Goships  and  Wan-Ships  band,  who  in- 
habit the  northern  part  of  this  district,  north  from  the  Great  Salt 
Lake  towards  the  Weber  country,  west  of  the  Tooele,  and  east  of  the 
•Shoshones,  or  Snake  nation. 

South  are  the  Tin-pan-a-gos,  who  inhabit  Utah  valley  ;  they  are 
more  commonly  called  the  Tinpany  or  Lake  Utes,  and  are  divided 
into  small  bands,  each  .having  a  chief  Stick-in-the-head-Peteetweet, 
And  others  are  known  as  chiefs. 

The  next  are  the  San-Petes,  who  are  south  of  the  last  named  tribes, 
•raving  through  the  Yoab  and  San-Pete  valleys,  and  thence  south  to 
the  Sevier  river.  South  of  them  are  the  Parvans,  which  nation  ex- 
tends to  a  tribe  called  the  Piedes. 

The  next  and  last  known  tribe  composing  my  district  is  a  roving 
band,  who  roam  through  the  whole  of  the  other  nations,  and  are  con- 
fi.ned  to  no  particular  part  of  the  Territory.  They  are  called  Che- 
ver-ets,  and  known  as  Walker's  band. 

All  the  different  tribes  in  this  Territory  show  much  deference  to 
Walker.  Connected  with  him  or  his  band  are  Arra,  Pines,  Grose- 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  131 

Pines,  Tab-has,  and  some  others.  These  bands  frequently  rove  high 
up  on  the  Sevier  river  in  search  of  game,  but  are  generally  found  in 
the  neighborhood  of  San-Pete  and  Utah  valleys. 

I  held  several  councils  or  "  talks"  with  some  of  the  different  chiefs 
and  braves,  and  explained  to  them  what  their  Great  Father  at  Wash- 
ington desired  to  do  for  them,  and  what  he  expected  of  them.  They 
expressed  much  pleasure  and  satisfaction. 

I  made  them  several  presents,  which  delighted  them  exceedingly. 
The  Indians  in  this  Territory  are  mostly  very  poor.  Game  being 
excessively  scarce,  they  are,  from  necessity,  and  to  prevent  starva- 
tion often,  impelled  to  steal  cattle,  horses,  mules,  &c.,  for  food. 

Some  of  the  tribes  inhabiting  this  district  are  fine  looking  men,  and 
apparently  quite  intelligent  Indians.  Others  of  them,  viz  :  the 
Snake  Diggers  or  Cum-em-bars,  are  small  in  stature,  and  filthy  look- 
ing beings;  they  subsist  mostly  upon  roots,  crickets,  insects,  &c.; 
are  extremely  poor  and  wild. 

All  these  tribes  before  mentioned  acknowledge  Walker  as  their  war 
chief,  and  Sow-er-ette  as  their  head  civil  chief ;  but  the  majority  of 
the  tribes  obey  the  mandate  or  counsel  of  their  civil  chief,  Sow-er-ette, 
including  Walker.  They  all  expressed  a  willingness  and  desire  to 
cultivate  the  soil,  provided  the  Mormons  would  not  drive  them  off 
from  their  lands. 

In  the  latter  part  of  September  I  sent  out  to  the  Snake  or  Shoshone 
nation,  and  invited  Cut-nose,  one  of  the  chiefs  of  that  nation,  to  come 
in  and  hold  a  council  or  "  talk"  with  me,  promising  to  protect  him. 
My  object  was  to  make  peace  between  them  and  the  Utah  tribes  in  my 
district.  He  came  in,  with  others,  and  we  held  a  "  talk"  of  several 
hours.  I  gave  him  some  small  presents.  He  expressed  himself  much 
pleased  to  hear  from  their  Great  Father,  and  agreed  to  meet  me  at 
Fort  Bridger,  one  hundred  and  thirteen  miles  southeast  of  Salt  Lake 
City,  on  the  1st  of  October. 

I  also  sent  word  to  Sow-er-ette  to  meet  me  there  with  his  warriors, 
promising  to  protect  him.  Accordingly  I  repaired  to  the  fort,  and 
they  met  me  there,  as  per  agreement. 

These  nations  have  been  at  war  for  many  years,  and  there  seemed 
to  be  a  deadly  hatred  between  them.  After  a  council  of  several  hours, 
during  which  time  they  recounted  their  alleged  causes  of  quarrel,  I 
told  them  their  Great  Father  wished  them  to  be  at  peace  with  all  the 
different  nations  of  Indians  and  with  the  whites,  and  that  they  must 
not  steal ;  which,  after  smoking  the  calumet  of  peace  again,  they*all 
clasped  hands  and  agreed  to. 

The  Indians  complained  bitterly  of  the  treatment  they  had  received 
from  the  Mormon  settlers  from  the  time  they  first  entered  the  Terri- 
tory up  to  the  present,  such  as  driving  them  off  of  their  lands,  stealing 
their  stock,  &c. 

I  can,  perhaps,  convey  their  ideas  better  by  giving  you  the  lan- 
guage of  the  old  chief,  Sow-er-ette,  who,  raising  himself  up  to  his  full 
height,  said  to  me  :  u  American  good  !  Mormon  no  good  t  Ameri- 
can friend.  Mormon  kill,  steal." 

The  chiefs  said  they  claimed  all  the  lands  upon  which  were  settled 
the  Mormons,  and  that  they  were  driving  them  further  every  year, 


132  UTAH   EXPEDITION, 

making  use  of  their  soil  and  what  little  timher  there  was,  and  ex- 
pressed a  wish,  if  their  Great  Father  was  so  powerful,  that  he  would 
not  permit  the  Mormons  to  drive  them  out  of  the  valleys  into  the 
mountains,  where  they  must  starve. 

Some  of  these  tribes  cultivate  the  soil,  raise  Indian  corn,  &c. 

Ahout  the  9th  of  August  Major  Holeman,  Indian  agent,  arrived  at 
Great  Salt  Lake  City,  and  the  governor,  after  some  consultation  with 
him  and  myself,  ordered  us  to  attend  the  treaty  at  Fort  Laramie  on 
the  1st  of  September,  with  a  delegation  of  Indians. 

I  sent  out  interpreters  among  those  in  my  district  to  prevail  upon 
the  chief  to  attend  the  treaty.  By  the  governor's  orders,  purchased 
a  carriage,  &c.,  to  convey  them  down  privately  and  in  disguise,  it 
heing  his  opinion  and  instructions  that  they  should  be  conveyed  in 
that  manner  to  prevent  being  attacked  by  other  tribes. 

Four  only  of  the  different  bands  came  in:  Gro-se-pene,  a  chief; 
Quon-de-ats,  son  of  Sow-er-ette  ;  Tomy,  sent  by  Walker  ;  Sow-er-ette, 
sent  by  Wanship  ;  and  Gro-se-pene' s  sister. 

The  governor  thought  they  could  not  properly  represent  the  differ- 
ent tribes,  and  ordered  me  not  to  make  the  trip,  but  to  purchase  them 
a  suit  of  clothes  each,  knives,  tobacco,  &c.,  which  I  did. 

The  reasons  given  me  by  Sow-er-ette,  Walker,  and  the  other  chiefs, 
why  they  did  not  come  in  and  go  down  was  that  they  believed  it  to 
be  a  trap  set  by  the  Mormons  to  kill  them.  They  seem  to  have  but 
little  confidence  in  anything  the  Mormon  people  say  to  them,  and 
decidedly  stand  in  much  fear  of  them  ;  and  from  all  information  I 
could  gather  not  without  good  cause. 

I  am  decidedly  of  opinion  that  a  treaty  held  of  all  the  different 
tribes  in  the  Territory  would  be  of  incalculable  benefit,  and  that  a 
delegation  sent  to  Washington  and  through  the  States  would  add 
much  to  give  them  an  idea  of  the  power  of  the  government,  and  have 
a  much  greater  ten'dency  to  civilize  these  Indians  than  any  other 
course  that  could  be  adopted.  They  have  no  conception  of  the  popu- 
lation and  power  of  the  United  States. 

Christian  missions,  other  than  Mormons,  would  also  do  much  to 
advance  these  Indians  towards  civilization. 
I  am,  respectfully,  your  obedient, 

H.  R.  DAY, 
Sub-Indian  Agent  1st  District,  Utah  territory. 

Hon.  LUKE  LEA, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 


No.  3. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  January  9,  1852. 

SIR  :  In  presenting  my  report  to  your  department  a  few  days  since, 
I  did  not  then  state  my  reasons  for  having  left  the  Territory  of  Utah 
and  my  agency.  I  deemed  it  more  suitable  to  make  it  the  subject  of 
another  communication. 

My  reasons  for  returning  were  the  public  and  private  abuse  of  the 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  133 

government  of  the  United  States  and  its  officers,  and  finding  I  could 
not  be  of  that  service  to  the  government  and  the  Indians,  which  I 
deem  that  duty  required,  more  particularly  as  long  as  the  present 
governor  remained  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs. 

I  found  it  impossible,  with  due  respect  to  myself  and  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  to  perform  my  duties,  in  consequence  of 
the  open  hostility  manifested  publicly  and  privately  by  the  governor 
and  the  Mormon  community  to  the  government  of  the  United  States 
and  its  officers  sent  out  to  Utah  Territory. 

Although  instructed  by  your  department  to  report  through  Governor 
Young,  ex-officio  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs,  I  have,  under  the 
peculiar  circumstances  of  my  position,  thought  it  the  more  advisable 
and  proper  course  to  report  to  you  in  person,  and  knowing  the  delay 
of  mail  communication,  and  being  satisfied  that  the  government  would 
wish  to  take  action  independent  of  Mormon  influences,  I  believed  I 
would  be  discharging  my  duty  to  repair  to  the  seat  of  government 
that  I  might  give  such  information  and  explanations  as  a  counter 
report  from  Governor  Young  might  call  for,  and  to  give  a  more  full 
and  detailed  account  of  the  difficulties  existing  between  the  officers  of 
the  general  government  and  the  Mormons. 

Thus  far  I  conceive  that  I  am  in  the  discharge  of  my  duty,  and 
would  respectfully  ask  for  further  instructions,  and  of  such  a  nature 
as  will  enable  me  to  act  independent  of  Governor  Young  and  the 
Mormons,  and  am  ready  "to  perform  my  duties  and  return  to  Utah 
Territory ;  but  do  not  believe  that  any  agent  controlled  by  Governor 
Young  can  fully  effect  the  objects  of  the  government  in  their  relations 
with  the  Indians. 

I  would  also  respectfully  suggest  that  the  salaries  of  sub-agents  be 
raised  to  such  an  amount  as  would  enable  them  to  live  in  a  country 
where  everything  in  the  shape  of  provisions,  &c,,  is  much  higher 
than  in  either  California,  Oregon,  or  New  Mexico,  and  in  which 
countries  agents  receive  much  larger  salaries. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  E.  DAY. 

Hon.  LUKE  LEA, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 


No.  4. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  U.  T. 

December  28,  1851. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Enclosed  I  send  you  a  document  which  will  give  you 
some  information  in  relation  to  the  manner  they  do  business  in  this 
city.  It  commenced,  I  have  no  doubt,  with  the  view  of  producing  a 
difficulty  with  me,  as  I  was  the  only  government  officer  not  a  Mormon 
left  in  the  Territory.  It  was  a  transaction  with  which  I  had  nothing 
to  do,  when  consulted  upon  the  subject  by  Mr.  H.  B.  Day,  sub-agent, 
and  Governor  Young.  I  did  not  think  it  my  privilege,  nor  did  I  un- 
dertake to  give  any  instruction  to  any  one,  neither  did  I  intend  to  make 


134 


UTAH  EXPEDITION. 


any  move  in  the  matter.  Subsequently  I  was  called  on  by  Mr.  H.  R. 
Day,  who  informed  me  that  the  governor  had  directed  him  to  make 
an  effort,  and,  if  possible,  to  get  some  of  the  chiefs  or  principal  men 
of  the  Utah  tribe  of  Indians,  and  accompany  them  to  the  treaty  of 
Laramie.  He  stated,  also,  that  the  governor  had  recommended  to  him 
that  he  should  send  some  one  acquainted  with  the  Indians  to  visit  them 
at  their  villages,  and  request  them  to  meet  him  in  this  city,  where, 
with  his  assistance,,  they  could  perhaps  prevail  on  the  Indians  to  ac- 
company him  to  the  treaty.  Mr.  Day,  having  an  interpreter  employed, 
he  was  called  upon  and  directed  to  visit  these  Indians  ;  he  wished  to 
have  some  one  to  accompany  him,  and  requested  Mr.  Day  to  authorize 
him  to  employ  one  or  two  men  for  that  purpose.  Mr.  Day  asked  my 
opinion  with  regard  to  his  power  of  employing  persons  in  this  capacity. 
I  told  him  I  could  give  him  no  information  on  the  subject,  but  sup- 
posed that  the  governor  could  or  would  advise  him  what  to  do,  and 
that  he  had  better  consult  him.  Shortly  after  this  conversation  Mr. 
Huntington,  the  interpreter,  called  on  me,  accompanied  by  this  E. 
W.  Vanetten,  to  know  what  would  be  the  pay  of  Vanetten  per  day 
should  he  take  the  trip.  I  told  them  I  could  not  inform  them  ;  that 
I  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  business  ;  that  I  was  going  to  leave  the 
city  the  next  day  for  Laramie,  and,  as  I  could  not  be  here  when  the 
Indians  arrived,  I  again  advised  them  to  call  on  the  governor,  who 
would  give  them  all  the  necessary  information  and  instruction.  They 
left  me,  and  in  about  two  hours  returned,  still  urging  me  to  give 
them  directions  and  instruct  them  what  to  do  ;  Vanetten  stating  in 
the  most  positve  manner  that  he  would  not  go  unless  he  knew  what 
he  was  to  get,  and  who  was  to  pay  him.  I  told  him  again  that  I  had 
nothing  to  do  with  the  matter,  and  that  I  could  not  and  would  not 
fix  any  price  for  his  labor,  nor  ivould  I  employ  him  at  any  price  what- 
ever. This  was  the  last  conversation  I  had  with  either  Vanetten  or 
Huntington  upon  the  subject. 

I  left  the  city  the  next  day,  and  heard  nothing  further  upon  the 
subject  until  I  returned  here  from  Laramie.  On  the  10th  ultimo  Mr. 
Vanetten  presented  his  account  to  me,  and  in  a  very  peremptory  man- 
ner demanded  payment.  I  told  him  that  I  had  not  employed  him, 
that  I  knew  nothing  of  the  services,  and  that  I  could  not  pay  the  bill. 
He  replied  that  he  had  been  directed  to  present  it  to  me,  and  if  I  did 
not  pay  it  that  he  must  proceed  to  collect  it.  I  requested  him  to  see 
the  governor,  and  that  I  had  no  doubt  he  would  do  what  was  right. 
If  the  services  had  been  rendered  the  governor  knew  it,  and  certainly 
would  pay  him,  as  he  had  the  control  of  the  whole  matter  ;  that  he 
well  knew  that  I  was  not  here  at  the  time,  and  that  I  had  refused  to 
employ  him  in  any  way.  He  left  me,  and  returned  the  next  day.  and 
demanded  immediate  payment,  informing  me  that  the  governor  had 
instructed  him  to  present  the  account  to  rne,  and  if  I  did  not  pay  it  to 
make  me.  I  stated  to  him  that  I  did  not  wish  any  difficulty  either 
with  him  or  the  governor,  but  that  I  could  not  pay  an  account  that  I 
had  no  agency  in  creating,  or  for  services  which  I  did  not  know  had 
ever  been  rendered  ;  but,  to  settle  the  matter,  if  he  would  get  the 
governor's  certificate,  with  instructions  to  me  to  pay  it,  I  would  do 
so.  But  without  the  certificate  of  the  governor  I  would  not. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  135 

About  twelve  o'clock  the  constable  served  a  warrant  on  me  for  an 
account  against  "  J.  H.  Holeman,  Indian  agent,"  summoning  me  to 
appear  before  Squire  Snow  at  three  o'clock.  Attorney  General  Blair 
appeared  as  counsel  for  Yannetten,  had  me  prosecuted,  and  judgment 
rendered  against  me  as  a  private  citizen ;  execution  issued,  and  a 
carriage  wagon,  the  property  of  the  government,  was  levied  on,  and 
taken  out  of  my  possession  on  the  same  day.  On  the  13th  the  con- 
stable advertised  the  carriage  for  sale.  Fearing  some  difficulty, 
which  might  result  in  the  loss  of  the  property,  as  their  law  process 
was  singular  and  speedy  when  against  a  Gentile;  and  as  they  can  prove 
anything  they  desire,  I  determined  to  pay  the  debt,  the  receipt  for 
which  is  herewith  enclosed. 

I  take  the  opportunity  of  again  stating  to  you,  as  my  fixed  opinion, 
that  with  Governor  Young  at  the  head  of  the  Indian  department  in 
this  Territory,  it  cannot  be  conducted  in  such  a  manner  as  to  meet  the 
views  of,  or  do  justice  to,  the  government.  He  has  been  so  much  in 
the  habit  of  exercising  his  will,  which  is  supreme  here,  that  no  one 
will  dare  to  oppose  anything  he  may  say  or  do.  His  power  and 
influence  is  so  great,  that  no  officer,,  either  of  the  Territory  or  the 
government,  who  is  a  Mormon,  will  dare  to  disobey  his  will ;  there- 
fore, these  officers  are  managed  and  controlled  by  him  as  completely 
as  if  all  their  powers  and  duties  were  invested  in  him  alone.  His 
orders  are  obeyed  without  regard  to  the  consequences,  and  whatever  is 
to  the  interest  of  the  Mormons  that  is  done,  whether  it  is  according  to 
law,  or  to  the  interest  of  the  government,  or  not.  From  all  the 
circumstances,  I  feel  well  assured  that  he  was  at  the  head  of  this  suit 
of  Yannetten  against  me.  He  wished  to  show  to  his  people  that  he 
was  sincere  in  his  expressions  of  contempt  towards  the  government 
and  her  officers  here,  by  having  them  annoyed  in  every  possible 
manner,  in  order  to  force  them  to  leave  the  Territory,  or  succumb  to 
his  will.  At  our  first  interview,  after  my  return  from  Laramie,  his 
conduct  was  of  such  a  character  that  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  check  him  at 
once.  I  assured  him  of  my  determination  to  do  all  in  my  power  to 
promote  the  interest  of  the  government ;  that,  so  far  as  he  was  con- 
cerned, I  should  be  happy  to  cooperate  with  him  in  all  measures  which 
had  a  tendency  to  effect  that  object ;  but  that  so  far  as  I  was  able,  and 
to  the  extent  of  my  ability,  I  intended  to  discharge  my  duty  to  the 
government  faithfully,  without  fear,  favor,  or  affection  to  any  one, 
and  that  I  wished  him  distinctly  to  understand.  We  separated  with- 
out much  ceremony,  and  did  not  meet  again  for  several  days.  In  the 
meantime,  it  was  rumored  about  that  I  was  going  out  to  Fort  Bridger, 
and  the  Mormons  generally  believed  that  I  was  about  to  leave  for  the 
States.  This  produced  a  great  change  ;  the  governor  called  on  me, 
was  very  polite,  and  has  been  quite  friendly  ever  since.  I  expect  an 
outbreak  between  us,  because  I  believe  it  to  be  his  intention  to  use 
his  official  station  as  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs  to  promote  the 
interest  of  his  people.  He  has  already  been  on  an  excursion  with  the 
Mormon  sub-Agent,  S.  B.  Rose,  with  Indian  goods,  as  presents  to  the 
Indians  in  a  section  of  the  country  where  they  are  making  a  new 
settlement,  and  where,  I  am  informed,  the  Indians  have  made  objec- 
tions to  any  further  encroachments  upon  their  lands  by  the  Mormons. 


136  UTAH  EXPEDITION. 

Their  object  is  to  get  a  foothold,  make  a  settlement  peaceably  by 
purchasing  the  friendship  of  the  chiefs  and  headmen  with  presents 
furnished  by  the  government,  and  then  bid  defiance  both  to  the 
government  and  to  the  Indians.  They  are  a  people  who  have  no 
sympathy  or  respect  for  our  government  or  its  institutions,  and  who 
are  frequently  heard  cursing  and  abusing,  not  only  the  government, 
but  all  who  are  American  citizens. 

Believing  it  to  be  my  duty,  I  shall  remain  here  if  it  should  be  the 
wish  of  the  department,  and  shall,  from  time  to  time,  advise  you  of 
all  matters  connected  with  the  Indian  affairs  which  I  may  deem  of 
importance  or  interest. 

As  soon  as  the  weather  will  permit,  I  shall  visit  several  tribes  and 
bands  who  I  have  not  yet  seen,  when  I  shall  inform  you  of  their 
situation  and  disposition. 

I  have  felt  it  my  duty  to  make  the  foregoing  statements,  and  have 
forwarded  this  communication  directly  to  the  department,  believing 
that  if  I  attempted  to  pass  it  through,  the  superintendent,  it  would 
never  reach  you. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 
Indian  Agent,  Utah  Territory. 

Hon.  L.  LEA, 

Commissioner  Indian  Affairs. 


GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  UTAH, 

November  10,  1851. 

Major  J.  H.  HOLEMAN,  United  States  Indian  agent, 

To  E.  W.  VANETTEN,  DR. 

For  services  of  self  and  borse  eight  days,  on  tour  to  San  Pete, 

$3  00 $24  00 


UTAH  TERRITORY,        ) 
Great  Salt  Lake  County,  ]  ss' 
To  the  sheriff  or  any  constable  of  said  county,  greeting : 

You  are  hereby  commanded  to  summon  J.  H.  Holeman  to  appear 
before  me,  at  my  office  in  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  on  Tuesday,  the  llth 
day  of  November,  A.  D.  1851,  at  three  o'clock  p.  m.,  then  and  there 
to  answer  unto  E.  W.  Vanetten  in  a  plea  of  debt  on  account,  in  the 
sum  of  twenty-four  dollars.  Hereof,  fail  not,  but  legal  service  and 
due  return  make,  according  to  law. 

Given  under  my  hand  this  llth  day  of  November,  1851. 

WM.  SNOW,  J.  P. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  137 


E.  W.  VANETTEN  vs.  J.  H.  HOLEMAN. 

Cost  bill. — Plaintiff's  cost. 

Summons $1  00 

Subpoena 50 

Swearing  witness,  (Huntingdon) , 25 

Witness 1  00 

Kendition  of  judgment 2  25 

Constable's  fees 3  00 

8  00 
Suit  brought  on  account. — Amount  $24. 

November  11,  A.  D.  1851. — Summons  issued  and  delivered  to  Rod- 
ney Badger,  constable,  for  appearance  of  defendant  at  3  o'clock  p.  m., 
of  November  11,  1851. 

November  11,  1851. — Summons  returned  endorsed,  served  by  read- 
ing to  defendant. — Rodney  Badger,  constable. 

Fees,  $3. 

Half-past  three. — Parties  appeared,  trial  had,  and  it  is  considered 
that  plaintiff  recover  of  defendant  the  sum  of  $24  and  cost,  taxed  to 
eight  dollars. 

November  11,  1851. — Execution  issued  against  J.  H.  Holeman,  in 
favor  of  E.  W.  Vanetten,  for  $24,  debt,  and  $8  cost  of  suit,  placed  in 
the  hands  of  R.  Badger,  constable,  for  collection,  together  with  his 
cost,  and  one  dollar  for  said  execution. 

Returnable  thirty  days  from  date. 

I  hereby  certify  the  above  to  be  a  true  copy  taken  from  my  docket 
in  office. 

WM.  SNOW,  J.  P. 

GKEAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  November  14,  1851. 


E.  W.  VANNETTEN  vs.  JACOB  H.  HOLEMAN. 

Judgement  rendered  by  Wm.  Snow,  justice $24  00 

Costs  of  suit 8  00 

Taking  a  carriage  and  serving  writ  in  execution..., 3  00 

Writing  and  posting  up  4  advertisements  for  the  sale  of  one 

carriage , 4  00 

39  00 

GKEAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  November  15,  1851. 

Received  payment,  in  full  of  the  above  bill,  costs,  and  judgment  of 
Jacob  H.  Holeman. 

RODNEY  BADGER,  Constable. 


138  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 


Constable's  Sale. 

Taken,  on  execution  against  John  H.  Holeman,  in  favor  of  E.  W. 
Vanetten,  one  carriage  and  harness,  which  will  be  sold  at  public  auc- 
tion to  the  highest  bidder,  at  or  near  the  council  house,  in  Great  Salt 
Lake  City,  on  Saturday,  at  2  o'clock  p.  m.,  the  22d  day  of  Novem- 
ber, 1851. 

RODNEY  BADGER, 

Constable. 
TERRITORY  OP  UTAH,  G.  S.  L.  CITY, 

November  13,  1851. 


No.  5. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  U.  T., 

February  29,  1852. 

DEAR  SIR  :  You  would  greatly  oblige  me  by  giving  me  some  in- 
structions in  regard  to  my  duties  here,  and  the  wishes  of  the  depart- 
ment. I  have  been,  as  the  saying  is,  going  it  blind,  pretty  much, 
and,  I  fear,  I  may  have  acted  improperly  in  some  respects.  I  am 
anxious  to  be  informed  of  the  intentions  and  wishes  of  the  department 
in  relation  to  the  Indians  in  this  Territory  generally.  It  is  expected 
here  that  there  will  be  a  considerable  emigration  from  the  States  to 
California  and  Oregon  this  spring  ;  there  will  be  considerable  from  this 
place.  As  the  Indians  have  been  very  troublesome  on  this  route,  I 
think  it  important  that  something  should  be  done  in  that  direction 
to  protect  the  property  and  lives  of  the  emigrants.  An  agency  at 
Mary's  river,  some  300  miles  from  this  city,  would  do  much  good,  and 
have  a  tendancy  to  quiet  the  disorderly  Indians,  if  in  the  hands  of  a 
proper  person.  I  consider  it  the  most  important  point  for  operations 
this  spring.  There  was  such  destruction  of  life  and  property  on  this 
route,  during  the  last  season,  that  I  should  like  to  be  instructed  to 
regulate  matters  there,  before  the  emigration  arrives.  I  think,  by 
proper  management,  the  route  may  be  made  safe  ;  not,  however,  with- 
out some  expense.  If  I  do  not  hear  from  you,  and  the  emigration 
should  make  a  move,  I  shall  use  all  efforts  to  give  them  a  safe  passage, 
so  far  as  the  Indians  are  concerned.  I  shall  visit  them  and  endeavor 
to  conciliate  them  ;  and,  if  possible,  establish  friendly  relations  be- 
tween us :  at  all  events,  so  far  as  the  limits  of  this  Territory  extend. 
But,  as  I  have  before  stated  to  you,  I  fear  that  little  can  be  done  for 
the  benefit  of  the  government  or  the  Indians,  under  the  present  or- 
ganization of  the  Indian  department  here.  The  superintendent  and 
sub-Agent,  Rose,  seem  disposed  to  conceal  their  movements  from  me  ; 
they  never  consult  with  me,  or  pay  any  attention  to  my  opinions. 
They  have  liscensed  many  traders,  some  against  my  wishes,  and  who 
I  know  to  be  unworthy  ;  they  are  traversing  the  country  in  every  di- 
rection, though  they  reside  in  this  city.  Have  I  the  power  to  stop 
this  kind  of  traffic  ?  I  have  pestered  you  so  much  with  my  communi- 
cations, that  I  fear  you  will  think  me  troublesome  ;  therefore,  I  will 
make  the  communication  a  short  one.  I  wrote  to  Mr.  J.  J.  Critten- 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  139 

den,  concerning  matters  here,  and  should  be  pleased  that  you  would 
gee  my  letter  to  him.     If  you  have  time,  please  write  me. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 

Indian  Agent. 
Hon.  L.  LEA,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 


No.  6. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY, 

March  29,  1852. 

DEAR  SIR  :  On  the  28th  of  November  last  I  addressed  you  a  letter, 
containing  in  substance  what  you  will  find  in  this.  Believing  it  im- 
portant that  the  department  should  be  possessed  of  some  of  these 
facts,  and  understanding  that  there  was  a  failure  in  the  mail  of  the 
1st  of  December,  I  have  concluded  to  write  you  again,  as  I  have  now 
a  safe  conveyance  by  private  hand.  In  my  letter  above  alluded  to,  I 
informed  you  that  I  had  made  a  report  to  his  excellency  Governor 
Young,  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs,  in  which  I  had  given  a 
statement  of  my  accounts  and  transactions,  generally.  But  owing  to 
a  difficulty  which  had  occurred  between  the  governor  and  Judge 
Brocchus,  and  other  officers  of  the  government,  during  my  absence  to 
Laramie,  I  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  touch  on  matters  connected  with 
the  conduct  of  the  governor,  and  the  Mormons  in  general,  as  it  had 
to  pass  through  the  hands  of  the  governor.  It  was  not,  however,  be- 
cause I  feared  that  anything  I  stated  could  or  would  be  contradicted 
by  the  governor,  but  because  I  apprehended  that  if  I  said  anything 
which  he  did  not  like  in  my  report,  that  it  would  never  reach  you. 
"  The  Gentiles,"  as  we  are  all  called,  who  do  not  belong  to  the  Mor- 
mon church,  have  no  confidence  in  the  management  of  the  post  office 
here  ;  it  is  believed  by  many  that  there  is  an  examination  of  all  letters, 
coming  and  going,  in  order  that  they  may  ascertain  what  is  said  of 
them,  and  by  whom  it  is  said.  This  opinion  is  so  strong  that  all 
communications  touching  their  character  and  conduct,  are  either  sent 
to  Bridger  or  Laramie,  there  to  be  mailed.  I  send  this  communica- 
tion by  a  friend  to  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  there  to  be  mailed  for  the 
city  of  Washington. 

I  alluded,  in  my  report,  to  the  necessity  of  adopting  such  measures 
by  the  general  government,  as  will  protect  the  rights  of  the  Indians 
in  this  Territory  ;  they  are  becoming  very  much  excited  by  the  en- 
croachments of  the  Mormons,  who  are  making  settlements  throughout 
the  Territory  on  all  the  most  valuable  lands,  extending  these  settle- 
ments for  three  hundred  miles  south  from  this  city,  and  north  to 
Mary's  river  and  Carson  valley.  In  the  first  settlement  of  this  city, 
and  the  adjoining  country  by  the  Mormons,  they  at  first  conciliated 
the  Indians  by  kind  treatment,  but  when  they  once  got  foothold,  they 
began  to  force  their  way,  the  consequence  was  a  war  with  the  Indians, 
and  in  many  instances,  a  most  brutal  butchery  of  the  Indians.  This, 
they  fear,  will  again  be  the  result  wherever  the  Mormons  may  make  a 


140  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

settlement.  The  Indians  having  been  driven  from  their  lands,  and 
their  hunting  ground  destroyed  without  any  compensation  therefor, 
they  are,  in  many  instances,  reduced  to  a  state  of  suffering  bordering 
on  starvation.  In  this  situation,  some  of  the  most  daring  and  des- 
perate approach  the  settlements,  and  demand  some  remuneration  or 
compensation  for  their  lands,  &c.,  when  upon  the  slightest  pretexts, 
they  are  shot  down  or  driven  to  the  mountains.  These  scenes  fre- 
quently occur  ;  but  the  other  day  an  Indian  was  found  dead  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  city,  shot  through  the  body. 

You  will  no  doubt  be  informed  by  Judge  Brocchus,  Secretary  Har- 
ris, and  others — officers  who  have  returned  from  this  city  to  the  States 
— of  the  conduct  and  character  of  Governor  Young,  his  treatment  to 
them,  &c.  I  was  not  here  at  the  time.  On  my  arrival  in  the  city, 
from  Laramie,  I  found  the  governor  absent  on  an  expedition  to  the 
Indians,  some  150  miles  distant.  He  had  taken  with  him  sub-Agent 
S.  B.  Kose,  who  is  a  Mormon,  with  several  hundred  dollars  worth  of 
Indian  goods  as  presents,  for  'the  purpose,  no  doubt,  of  conciliating 
the  Indians  and  getting  permission  to  extend  his  settlements  ;  thus 
making  use  of  his  office  as  superintendent  and  the  money  of  the  gov- 
ernment to  promote  the  interest  of  his  church.  Therefore,  it  seems 
to  me  that  no  Mormon  should  officially  have  anything  to  do  with  the 
Indians. 

From  what  I  can  learn  here,  there  is  no  doubt  but  every  effort  will 
be  made  by  the  Mormons  to  prevent  the  government  from  peaceably 
extending  her  laws  over  the  Territory.  Since  the  departure  of  the 
judges  and  other  officers,  they  have  levied  additional  taxes  on  all 
classes  of  ten  cents  on  the  dollar's  worth  of  all  description  and  kind 
of  property.  This,  it  is  thought,  is  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  for 
resistance.  It  is  said,  upon  good  authority,  that  there  is  an  effort 
being  made  to  form  an  alliance  with  the  Indians  to  resist  the  govern- 
ment, should  it  be  determined  to  force  authority  in  the  Territory ;  and, 
from  all  the  circumstances  and  information  I  can  gather,  something 
of  the  kind  may  be  in  agitation.  It  would  not  surprise  me  in  the 
least,  as  many  of  the  Utah  tribe  have  been  baptised  in  their  church, 
and  feasted  upon  all  occasions,  and  treated  in  the  kindest  manner. 
sub-Agent  Rose  has  just  returned  from  another  tour,  and  the  governor 
will  leave  again  in  a  few  days.  Neither  have  spoken  to  me  on  the 
subject,  nor  do  they  let  me  know  anything  of  their  actings  or  doings. 

I  think  it  would  be  advisable  to  hold  a  treaty  with  the  Indians  as 
soon  as  possible.  They  are  generally  friendly  disposed  to  the  whites. 
A  deputation  of  some  of  their  principal  men  to  visit  the  States  would 
have  a  very  good  effect.  They  know  nothing  of  the  power  of  the 
government,  or  the  number  and  manner  of  living  of  our  people. 

I  have  just  been  informed  that  the  Snake  and  Utah  tribes,  who  have 
been  at  war  with  each  other,  have  assembled  for  the  purpose  of  settling 
their  differences  ;  they  are  now  in  council.  I  suggested  this  course  to 
both  tribes,  and  have  no  doubt  but  it  will  result  in  an  adjustment  of 
their  difficulties.  It  will  set  an  example  to  the  other  tribes,  and  will 
ultimately,  I  have  no  doubt,  produce  a  very  good  effect.  This  is  the 
band  of  the  Snakes  who  visited  Laramie  ;  they  are  very  friendly  to  the 
whites  and  have  great  respect  for  their  Great  Father.  The  Indians 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  141 

are  very  much  scattered  over  this  Territory  ;  the  tribes  are  split  up 
into  small  bands,  ruled  by  some  favorite  chief;  some  of  them  are  very 
small.  The  tribe  of  Shoshoriies,  or  Snakes,  is  very  large,  and  being 
divided  into  many  bands,  they  occupy  a  large  portion  of  the  Territory, 
but  are  all  on  friendly  terms  with  each  other.  They  have  nothing 
like  a  settled  residence,  but  roam  the  country  from  the  headwaters  of 
the  Platte,  near  the  South  Pass,  to  St.  Mary's  river,  including  a  por- 
tion of  the  Territory  of  Oregon.  There  are  two  bands  of  Utahs  of 
considerable  size  ;  one  residing  south  of  the  city,  and  are  very  friendly 
towards  the  whites  ;  the  other,  who  are  called  the  "  Diggers,"  reside 
north,  and  range  over  a  porti  n  of  country  lying  between  this  and 
California  ;  they  are  said  to  be  a  tribe  formed  by  the  poorer  classes  of 
the  Utahs,  the  Snakes,  the  Pa-nacks,  the  Crows,  and  the  Flatheads. 
They  have  heretofore  been  considered  as  the  most  worthless  and 
trifling  Indians  in  the  Territory,  subsisting  on  roots  principally, 
from  which  they  take  the  name  of  Diggers.  It  is  said  they  eat 
anything  that  has  life  in  it,  from  a  cricket  to  a  buffalo.  It  is  princi- 
pally in  their  country  that  the  robberies  and  murders  which  have  oc- 
curred during  the  past  season  have  been  committed.  Many  are  of  the 
opinion  that  they  have  been  encouraged  and  assisted  by  white  men  ; 
and  judging  of  their  past  character  and  their  bold  and  daring  conduct 
now,  it  would  seem  that  there  is  strong  grounds  for  the  opinion. 
There  are  many  bands  of  the  various  tribes  above  named,  of  a  more 
elevated  character,  who  pursue  the  chase  for  a  living,,  and  travel  the 
country  in  search  of  game,  from  the  Platte  river  to  California,  and 
from  this  city  to  Oregon.  I  visited  a  village  of  the  Snakes  about  80 
miles  north  of  this  city,  in  January  last.  It  was  reported  here  that 
they  had  information  of  two  white  women,  who  were  said  to  be  held 
as  prisoners  by  a  band  of  the  "  White  Knives;"  all  the  information  I 
could  gather  seemed  to  justify  the  belief  that  they  had  been  killed  by 
the  Indians.  The  name  of  White  Knife  has  been  given  to  these 
Indians  who  have  been  committing  the  robberies  on  the  California 
and  Oregon  routes,  in  consequence,  they  say,  of  white  men  being  con- 
nected with  them  and  their  being  so  completely  armed  with  almost 
every  description  of  weapon.  The  Indians  I  visited  professed  great 
friendship  for  the  whites,  and  seemed  disposed  to  enter  into  any 
arrangement  with  the  government  which  would  have  a  tendency  to 
secure,  permanently,  this  friendship.  I  have  met  with  many  of  the 
Utah  tribe,  who  reside  south  and  southeast  of  this  city ;  they  are  also 
friendly,  and  are  anxious  to  make  such  arrangements,  by  treaty  or 
otherwise,  as  will  establish,  on  a  firm  footing,  their  friendly  relations 
with  the  whites. 

I  have  suggested,  in  my  previous  letters,  the  necessity  of  doing 
something  to  protect  the  route  between  this  and  California  and  Oregon; 
the  Indians  have  been  very  troublesome  during  the  last  year  ;  robberies 
and  murders  of  the  most  brutal  character  occur  with  almost  every 
train.  The  November  mail  from  California  has  been  cutoff,  all  killed 
by  the  Indians,  near  Mary's  river  ;  the  mail  contractor,  Mr.  Wood- 
ward, among  them,  and  the  mail  destroyed.  The  February  mail 
from  the  same  place  arrived  here  on  the  26th  instant,  after  much 
suffering ;  all  their  mules  and  horses  were  frozen  to  death,  the  men 


142  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

were  compelled  to  lay  by  18  days  in  a  snow  storm,  and  travelled  13 
days  on  foot,  packing  the  mail  on  their  hacks,  with  nothing  to  eat  hut 
mule  meat,  and  four  days  without  anything  ;  they  accidently  met  a 
band  of  the  Snake  Indians,  who  fed  them,  and  brought  them  into  the 
settlements.  Something  should  be  done  by  the  government  to  aid 
this  mail  route.  The  December  and  January  mails  could  not  pass 
the  mountains  and  return. 

It  is  not,  perhaps,  any  portion  of  my  duty,  yet  it  may  not  be  amiss 
to  give  you  some  account  of  the  persecution  and  tyranny  of  the  Mor- 
mons towards  the  gentiles,  as  all  are  called  who  do  not  belong  to  the 
Mormon  church.  They  have  levied  a  very  exorbitant  tax  on  all  em- 
igrants who  have  been  compelled  to  winter  in  this  valley  ;  they  col- 
lected this  tax  last  fall,  and  now,  when  these  emigrants  are  preparing 
to  leave  for  California  and  Oregon,  they  tax  them  again.  The  legis- 
lature has  passed  a  law  giving  licenses  to  men  belonging  to  their 
church,,  to  establish  ferries,  and  build  bridges  over  all  the  streams 
over  which  emigration  will  have  to  pass,  and  regulated  the  toll  at 
three  dollars  for  each  wagon,  and  fifty  cents  for  each  head  of  loose 
cattle,  while  the  citizens  of  the  valley,  or  members  of  the  church,  are 
exempted  from  this  tax  or  toll,  one-half  of  which  is  to  be  paid  into 
the  tithing  office,  for  the  benefit  of  the  church.  Some  of  the  emigrants, 
who,  from  the  lateness  of  the  season  when  they  arrived  here,  were 
compelled  to  remain  during  the  winter  ;  being  good  mechanics,  they 
were  employed  by  some  of  the  heads  of  the  church  to  labor  on  their 
buildings  and  public  works  ;  and  wishing  to  leave  this  spring,  have 
been  turned  off  without  pay,  or  any  satisfaction  ;  they  refused  even 
to  give  their  notes.  Among  these  men  is  Willard  Richards,  who  keeps 
a  harem  of  some  dozen  or  fifteen  women,  to  all  of  whom  he  is  wedded. 
He  is  acting  secretary  of  state,  and  postmaster  of  the  city.  Every 
description  of  tyranny  that  they  can  invent  is  made  use  of  to  perse- 
cute the  emigrants.  Tbey  issue  from  the  tithing  office  a  kind  of  scrip, 
as  evidence  of  the  indebtedness  of  the  church,  for  laborer  services  per- 
formed by  individuals.  This  scrip  forms  a  kind  of  circulating  medium, 
and  is  received  from  the  members  in  payment  of  their  taxes  and  tith- 
ing ;  but  when  it  falls  into  the  hands  of  a  gentile,  it  will  not  be  re- 
ceived from  him  for  his  taxes,  and  he  is  forced  to  pay  the  cash.  All 
he  can  do  with  it  is  to  receive  such  articles  of  trade  as  they  may 
choose  to  give  him,  at  from  one  to  four  hundred  per  cent,  above  the 
valley  prices  for  the  same  article. 

They  are  in  the  habit  of  drilling  the  militia  weekly.  The  com- 
manding officer,  in  impressing  upon  them  the  importance  of  punctu- 
ality attending  these  drills,  has  been  heard  to  say,  "  That  they  were 
in  the  habit  of  drilling  punctually  while  in  Nauvoo,  when  they  had 
but  one  State  to  oppose  them,  but  now  they  have  the  whole  United 
States,  they  should  be  properly  drilled  and  equipped."  Others  say, 
"  They  do  not  fear  the  United  States,  they  have  neither  respect  for 
her,  or  her  citizens  ;  and  should  they  want  assistance  to  defend  them- 
selves against  the  government,  they  can  easily  get  it  from  England." 
They  have  their  missionaries  travelling  all  over  the  world,  almost,  col- 
lecting men  and  contributions,  to  give  greater  strength  to  their  church. 
They  calculate  upon  a  large  emigration  this  season  to  reinforce  their 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  143 

ranks,  and  are  using  every  effort  to  prevent  their  people  from  leaving 
the  valley.  Many  have  made  preparations  for  emigrating  to  Califor- 
nia, but  Brigham  has  put  his  veto  against  it,  and  in  a  great  measure, 
has  put  a  stop  to  it. 

I  could  give  you  thousands  of  circumstances  tending  to  show  their 
deadly  hostility  to  the  government,  and  their  determination  to  resist 
her  authority  in  all  matters  which  conflict  with  their  notions  and 
church  regulations.  They  say  that  "  God  and  the  governor  commands," 
and  they  obey  no  one  else. 

I  mentioned  in  my  previous  letters  the  difficulty  attending  the  route 
from  this  city  to  California  The  main  route  from  the  States  to  Cali- 
fornia and  Oregon  passes  to  the  north  of  this,  and  intercepts  the 
road  from  here  at  or  near  the  Goose  Creek  mountains,  about  175  miles 
from  this  place.  It  is  then  about  130  miles  to  the  head  of  Hum- 
boldt  river,  where  the  road  strikes  it;  thence  down  the  river  to  the 
canon  is  about  60  miles ;  making  from  this  to  the  canon  about 
365  miles.  It  is  the  opinion  of  the  best  informed,,  with  whom  I  have 
conversed,  that  a  post  or  agency,  established  at  or  near  this  canon, 
would  afford  the  best  protection  to  this  route.  The  distance  from  this 
canon  to  Reese's  Station  in  Carson's  valley,  is  about  360  miles.  This 
station  is  in  Utah  Territory,  near  the  California  line,  and  is  about  180 
miles  from  Sacramento  city.  There  is  a  settlement  about  this  station 
of  about  eighty  persons,  and  extends  in  the  direction  to  this  city,  for 
near  forty  miles.  Should  I  receive  no  instructions  to  the  contrary,  I 
have  concluded  to  visit  this  section  of  the  Territory,  and  should  I  find 
it  advantageous  to  the  interest  of  the  government  and  the  Indians,  I 
shall  make  arrangements  to  establish  an  agency  at  some  point  which 
will  be  the  best  calculated  to  give  the  greatest  amount  of  protection, 
and  at  the  same  time  be  most  convenient  for  operations  with  the  In- 
dians. As  the  emigration  will  be  leaving  this  valley  about  the  20th 
of  April,  I  have  concluded  to  leave  this  city  with  them.  I  shall  write 
you  again  before  I  leave,  and  shall  advise  you  from  time  to  time  of 
my  operations,  the  prospects  of  quieting  the  Indians,  and  the  state  of 
the  country  generally, 

I  fear  you  will  think  me  extravagant  in  the  expenditure  of  money, 
but  I  assure  you  things  are  quite  different  here  from  what  they  are  in 
the  States  ;  everything  is  from  two  to  five  hundred  per  cent,  higher 
than  they  are  there.  Consequently,  our  living,  though  much  more 
common,  is  quite  dear.  All  my  expenditures  have  been  as  economical 
as  possible,  particularly  my  trip  to  Laramie.  It  was  the  first  attempt 
that  had  been  made  by  government  to  establish  friendly  relations 
with  the  Indians  in  this  Territory,  and  I  thought  that  a  few  dollars 
was  a  matter  of  no  importance  when  compared  with  the  effect  which 
would  be  produced  upon  their  feelings,  by  showing  them  that  their 
Great  Father,  as  well  as  the  whites  generally,  would  be  good  to  them 
if  they  would  treat  the  whites  with  kindness.  They  returned  to  their 
villages  so  much  pleased  with  the  trip,  and  the  evidences  of  friendship 
they  received,  that  they  are  using  all  their  influence  with  the  other 
tribes,  not  only  to  make  peace  between  themselves,  but  to  establish 
peace  and  friendship  with  the  whites. 

It  may  be  prudent,  perhaps,  to  keep  my  name  secret  in  relation  to 
these  statements.  If  it  was  known  here  that  I  had  such  a  communi- 


144  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

cation,  there  is  no  telling  what  would  be  the  result.  I  have  heard 
them  boldly  assert  that,  if  Brigham  was  to  tell  them  to  cut  any 
man's  throat,  they  would  do  it  without  hesitation.  I  make  these 
remarks  to  let  you  know  my  situation.  I  do  not  ftar  a  contradiction  ; 
use  your  judgment  on  the  subject. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 
Indian  Agent,  Utah  Territory. 
Hon.  L.  LEA. 


No.  7. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY, 
April  29,  1852. 

SIR:  I  have  advised  you,  in  my  previous  communication,  of  the 
difficulty  and  danger  to  emigrants  who  travel  tbe  Oregon  and  Cali- 
fornia route,  and  of  the  necessity  of  doing  something  for  their  pro- 
tection I  also  informed  you  that,  if  not  instructed  otherwise,  I 
should  visit  that  section  of  the  Territory,  and  endeavor  to  make  such 
arrangements  with  these  Indians  as  would  insure  safety  to  emigra- 
tion in  future.  I  have  had  several  conversations  with  the  superin- 
tendent upon  this  subject  without  coming  to  any  determination  or 
receiving  from  him  any  particular  instructions.  For  the  purpose, 
therefore,  of  bringing  the  matter  to  a  close,  and  that  there  should  be 
action  upon  the  subject,  I  addressed  to  him  the  enclosed  letter.  He 
left  this  city  on  the  23d  instant  on  a  southern  tour,  to  be  absent 
several  months,  without  giving  me  any  instructions,  or  even  acknowl- 
edging the  receipt  of  my  letter.  He  has  been  in  an  ill  humor  with 
me  since  the  receipt  of  your  annual  report,  in  which  is  a  letter  I 
addressed  you  from  Fort  Lararnie  and  in  which  I  speak  of  the  excite- 
ment of  the  Indians  on  account  of  the  whites  settling  their  lands, 
and  more  particularly  against  the  Mormons.  In  order  to  justify 
myself  for  the  statements  made  in  that  letter,  I  have  thought  it 
advisable  to  give  you  my  authority,  as  I  have  been  threatened  with 
denunciation  and  a  contradiction  of  all  nutters  concerning  the 
Mormons. 

Mr.  James  Bridger,  who  was  the  interpreter  of  the  Snake  Indians 
at  the  treaty  of  Lararnie,  and  who  is  very  favorably  noticed  in  the 
communication  of  Colonel  D.  D.  Mitchell,  informed  me  that  the  Utah 
Indians  residing  in  Uwinty  valley  had  frequently  expressed  their  dis- 
satisfaction, in  the  strongest  terms,  against  the  Mormons  making  set- 
tlements on  their  lands  ;  that  they  had  understood  they  intended  to 
do  so,  and  were  anxious  to  know  what  they  should  do,  or  if  they  had 
the  right  to  prevent  it.  This  was  stated  to  me  in  such  a  manner  that 
I  could  not  hesitate  to  believe  it.  In  addition  to  this,  Mr.  Barney 
Ward,  a  Mormon,  who  was  the  interpreter  of  sub-Agent  S.  B.  Rose, 
in  conversation,  frequently  stated  that  the  Mormons  intended  to  make 
a  settlement  in  Uwinty  valley,  and  that  he  was  going  to  reside  there 
as  an  Indian  trader.  With  this  information,  believing  that  if  the 
settlement  was  attempted  that  it  would  cause  an  outbreak,  and  another 
"  Indian  war,"  for  which  government  would  be  called  upon  to  derray 

' 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  145 

the  expenses,  I  made  the  statement  in  my  communication  from  Laramie ; 
not,  however,  for  the  purpose  of  producing  unkind  feelings  towards  the 
Mormons,  but  to  impress  upon  the  department  the  necessity  of  adopt- 
ing such  measures  as  would  place  both  the  whites  and  the  Indians  in 
a  position  to  understand  their  rights  and  privileges,  and  thereby  pre- 
vent further  disturbances  among  them,  as  there  had  been,  as  I  con- 
ceived, great  injustice tdone  the  Indians  already.  I  subsequently  met 
a  deputation  of  the  Uwinty  Utes,  sent  by  their  chief  Soweates,  who 
confirmed  the  information  I  had  before  received,  and  expressed  their 
decided  disapprobation  to  any  settlement  being  made  on  their  lands 
by  the  whites,  and  more  particularly  by  the  Mormons.  This  same 
deputation  was  directed  by  their  chief  to  request  that  I  would  send 
them  some  traders,  towards  whom  and  the  government  they  pledged 
friendship  in  the  strongest  terms.  I  sent  them  two  different  compa- 
nies of  traders — one  from  Fort  Bridger,  who  they  treated  with  great 
kindness  and  respect;  the  others  went  from  this  city.  Upon  learning 
they  were  from  the  Mormon  city,  the  Indians  immediately  demanded 
to  know  if  they  were  Mormons ;  and  although  one  was  a  Mormon; 
they  were  compelled  to  deny  it.  Such  was  the  feeling  of  hostility 
expressed  towards  the  Mormons,  that  if  they  had  been  known  to  be 
so  they  would  have  been  driven  from  the  village.  The  Shoshonees, 
or  Snakes,  were  equally  opposed,  and  expressed  their  disapprobation 
to  the  Mormons  settling  on  their  lands  in  the  strongest  terms. 

I  thought  I  was  in  the  discharge  of  my  duty  in  giving  to  the  depart- 
ment this  information,  as  I  conceived  it  of  some  importance.  The  In- 
dians in  this  Territory  have,  in  the  general,  been  badly  treated;  upon 
some  occasions  so  much  so  as  to  produce  resistance.  Then,  upon  the 
most  trivial  occasion,  would  follow,  as  the  Mormons  call  it,  an  "  Indian 
war,"  and  being  better  armed  and  equipped  than  the  Indians  a  most 
brutal  butchery  would  follow.  For  all  these  services  in  all  these 
<l  Indian  wars,"  I  understand  that  there  is  a  petition  presented,  or 
will  be  presented,  to  Congress  for  the  government  to  pay  the  bill. 
Before  they  do  so,  however,  I  hope  they  will  inquire  into  particulars, 
as  these  people  seem  more  inclined  to  fleece  the  government  of  her 
money  than  to  render  her  any  important  service  or  friendship.  I  have 
thought  it  to  be  my  duty  to  inform  the  department  of  all  matters  cal- 
culated to  produce  excitement  or  dissatisfaction  among  the  Indians. 
With  this  view  I  have  made  you  the  several  communications  relative 
to  matters  and  things  here.  I  shall  continue  to  do  so  as  circumstances 
may  occur  ;  and  while  I  confine  my  statements  to  facts,  I  feel  confident 
I  shall  be  sustained  by  the  department. 

I  shall,  in  accordance  with  my  previous  advices  to  the  department, 
leave  in  a  few  days  for  the  Humboldt,  where,  if  I  find  it  necessary,  I 
shall  establish  an  agency,  as  it  is  no  doubt  the  most  important  point 
on  the  route.  If  it  should  be  necessary  and  any  good  can  be  effected, 
I  will  extend  my  trip  as  far  as  Carson  valley,  near  the  line  between 
this  Territory  and  California.  If  I  should  not  succeed  in  establishing 
friendly  relations  with  these  Indians,  I  shall  on  my  return  have  it  in 
my  power  to  give  the  department  such  information  as  will  enable 
them  to  act  more  advisedly  in  future.  At  present  but  little  is  known 
except  that  they  are  murdering  and  plundering  every  train  that  passes 
H.  Ex.  Doc.  71 10 


146  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

the  road.  As  the  treaty  of  Laramie  has  given  security  to  emigration 
from  the  States  to  the  country  occupied  by  these  Indians,  an  arrange- 
ment with  them  will  open  a  general  highway  through  all  the  country, 
from  Missouri  to  California,  and  give  security  to  the  numerous  and 
increasing  emigration  which  is  annually  passing  to  California  and 
Oregon,  and  which  at  present  is  attended  with  so  much  danger  and 
loss  of  life  arid  property.  The  Indians  in  this. section  have  had  but 
little  intercourse  with  the  whites,  and  what  they  have  had  has  rather 
tended  to  excite  them  against  the  whites  than  to  create  friendship  or 
respect.  The  first  were  a  set  of  traders  and  trappers,  &c.,  whose 
practice  was  to  cheat  them  out  of  what  little  they  possessed,  or  take 
it  by  force  when  able  to  do  so ;  the  second  were  the  Mormons,  who 
forcibly  took  possession  of  their  country,  drove  off  their  game,  and 
killed  many  of  the  Indians ;  the  last  was  the  emigration  who  often 
committed  depredations  on  those  who  were  inclined  to  be  friendly, 
through  the  mistaken  idea  that  all  Indians  were  treacherous,  and  by 
this  means  frequently  caused  the  innocent  to  suffer.  Such  transac- 
tions have  in  a  great  measure  brought  about  the  present  condition  of 
things  here.  Many  of  the  tribes,  however,  are  becoming  friendly,  and 
by  a  prudent  and  humane  course,  which  has  characterized  all  the  acts 
of  the  government  in  regard  to  this  unfortunate  race,  I  hope  the 
balance  may  be  reconciled  and  the  country  and  the  highways  be  re- 
lieved of  the  distressing  scenes  which  so  olten  occur. 

I  mentioned  to  you  in  my  last  communication  that  the  November 
mail,  from  California  to  this  place,  had  been  cut  off  by  the  Indians  and 
the  contents  destroyed.  The  remains  of  Mr.  Woodward,  the  con- 
tractor, have  since  been  found  some  forty  miles  beyond  the  settlements 
in  this  valley.  We  have  received  information  from  the  Indians  near 
Fort  Hall,  that  he  and  his  escort,  five  in  number,  were  attacked  by 
this  marauding  band  of  Indians  on  the  Humboldt,  and  that  four  were 
killed — the  fifth,  Woodward,  made  his  escape.  It  is  supposed  that  he 
must  have  been  wounded  and  died  from  exhaustion,  as  his  watch  and 
many  valuable  papers  were  found  near  the  remains  of  his  body,  which 
was  almost  entirely  destroyed  by  wild  beasts;  it  was  identified,  how- 
ever, by  his  clothing,  watch,  papers,  &c. 

The  Snake  Indians  who  attended  the  treaty  at  Laramie  returned 
well  pleased  with  their  reception  and  treatment.  They  are  very 
friendly  with  all  who  pass  through  their  country,  giving  them  every 
assistance  in  their  power,  and  pledging  a  continuance  of  their  friend- 
ship, on  account,  as  they  say,  of  the  kindness  of  their  Great  Father 
to  them.  This  feeling  is  diffusing  itself  throughout  many  of  the 
other  tribes  and  bands,  who  regret  that  they  had  not  been  there  also. 
In  fact,  I  believe  that  there  is  but  one  tribe  in  the  Territory  who  are 
disposed  to  molest  the  emigration,  and  that  is  the  tribe  I  contemplate 
visiting.  I  shall  be  compelled  to  incur  some  expense,  but  shall  be  as 
economical  as  possible.  I  shall  have  to  hire  some  ten  or  fifteen  men, 
an  interpreter,  &c. ,  to  accompany  me,  and  shall  make  all  other  ar- 
rangements, as  far  as  possible,  subject  to  your  advice  and  instruction, 
which  I  shall  expect  on  my  return. 

I  regret  that  I  have  not  been  able  to  receive  positive  instructions  in 
relation  to  my  duties,  and  more  particularly  in  regard  to  expendi- 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  147 

tares,  and  the  particular  kind  of  expenditures.  I  fear  that  I  have 
already  gone  too  far  ;  all  I  can  say  on  this  subject  is,  that  in  attend- 
ing the  Snake  Indians  to  the  treaty  at  Laramie,  although  somewhat 
expensive,  it  has  done  much  good,  and  will  have  a  very  happy  effect 
upon  our  Indian  operations  in  future.  One  thing,  however,  is  cer- 
tain, all  operations  with  the  Indians  cost  money,  perhaps  more  in 
this  Territory  than  many  other  places.  I  have,  therefore,  thought  it 
better  to  incur  a  little  expense  for  purposes  which  I  deemed  of  im- 
portance to  the  Indians  and  to  the  government  than  to  wait  for 
instructions  so  distant  and  difficult  to  obtain.  Besides,  I  can  see  no 
use  in  my  remaining  idle  when  there  is  important  work  to  perform, 
particularly  as  it  will  have  to  be  done  at  some  time,  and  perhaps  at  a 
much  greater  expense. 

Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  say  to  me,  on  the  receipt  of  this,  what 
will  be  the  proper  allowance  to  these  men  who  accompany  me,  either 
as  their  per  diem  or  monthly  pay.  I  fear  you  will  consider  me  some- 
what pestiferous,  but  you  must  recollect  that  I  have  had  no  instruc- 
tions by  which  I  could  form  a  correct  opinion  of  the  extent  of  my 
powers  and  duties,  or  the  particular  wishes  of  the  government.  I  was 
directed  to  report  to  the  governor,  which  duty  I  performed  without 
delay.  He  having  no  instructions,  as  he  informed  me,  I  was  left  to 
act  upon  your  verbal  instructions,  to  take  such  steps  as  in  my  judgment 
would  best  conduce  to  the  interest  of  the  Indians  and  the  government. 
I  have  endeavored  so  to  act,  and  hope  my  conduct  may  meet  the 
approbation  of  the  department,  and  that  I  may  hear  from  you  by  the 
return  mail. 

I  received  a  communication  by  the  last  mail  informing  me  that,  in 
consequence  of  my  having  failed  to  render  my  accounts  up  to  the  30th 
of  September  last,  I  had  been  reported  to  the  President.  I  regret 
that  it  was  not  in  my  power  to  make  my  report  at  the  time  alluded 
to.  I  had  been  in  attendance  at  the  treaty  at  Laramie,  with  the 
Snake  Indians,  where  I  was  detained  much  longer  than  I  had  antici- 
pated when  I  left  this  city  ;  not  doubting  when  I  left  but  that  I  should 
return  before  the  time  specified  for  making  niy  report?  I  did  not  take 
with  me  many  papers  necessary  to  enable  me  to  do  so.  In  addition  to 
this,  my  horses  failed  on  my  return  to  such  an  extent  as  to  prevent 
my  travelling  at  the  usual  speed.  I  had  to  wait  on  them  or  to  leave 
them.  I  thought  it  more  prudent  to  sacrifice  my  personal  comfort 
than  to  leave  my  animals,  which  would  have  been  a  total  loss  to  the 
government,  and  did  not  reach  this  city  until  the  26th  of  October,  too 
late  to  make  a  report.  I  however  forwarded  my  account  by  the  No- 
vember mail,  which  I  have  no  doubt  you  have  received  ere  this,  and 
which  I  hope  may  be  satisfactory  to  the  department. 

L  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 
Indian  Agent,  Utah  Territory. 

Hon.  LUKE  LEA, 

Commissioner  Indian  Affairs. 

P.  S.  May  1. — Not  receiving  any  communication  from  you,  and 
being  left  to  act  from  my  own  judgment,  I  shall  proceed  to  equip  ten 


148  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

men,  with  an  interpreter,  and  two  friendly  Indians,  and  proceed  imme- 
diately to  the  Hurnboldt.  It  is  reported  here  that  these  marauding 
Indians  in  that  station  have  been  making  great  preparations  for  their 
operations  on  the  emigrants  ;  and  as  there  is  nothing  else  of  any  im- 
portance for  me  to  do  at  present,  it  seems  to  me  that  my  duty  prompts 
me  to  this  course.  I  shall  use  every  effort  in  my  power  peaceably  to 
quiet  the  Indians  on  this  route,  and  to  get  all  the  information  possible 
concerning  them,  their  habits,  disposition,  &c.,  and  the  prospects  of 
doing  anything  with  them  in  future.  I  shall  use  economy  and  dis- 
cretion in  all  matters,  and  report  the  result  to  the  Department  on  my 
return.  If  I  find  it  necessary  to  go  as  far  as  Carson  valley  I  may  be 
detained  some  two  or  three  months.  It  is  unnecessary  to  take  this 
trip  unless  a  thorough  investigation  is  made  of  all  matters  which  may 
be  of  interest  to  the  government  or  to  the  Indians,  so  as  to  enable  the 
department  to  act  more  advisedly  in  future.  It  is  very  necessary  that 
something  should  be  done,  and  as  speedily  as  possible,  as  the  longer 
it  is  delayed  the  more  difficult  and  expensive  it  will  be  to  the  govern- 
ment. I  shall  be  compelled  to  draw  on  the  department  for  funds  to 
defray  expenses.  I  srjall  also  take  with  me  a  few  articles  to  be  used 
as  presents,  if  I  can  dispose  of  them  to  advantage  and  effect.  The 
April  mail  from  the  States  has  just  arrived. 
Yours,  &c.? 

J.  £.  HOLEMAN, 

Indian  Agent. 


No.  8. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY, 

April  19,  1852. 

SIR:  Daring  the  last  summer,  the  emigration  on  the  route  to  Cali- 
fornia and  Oregon  was  very  much  annoyed  by  the  Indians  ;  many 
murders  were  committed,  and  a  vast  amount  of  property  destroyed. 
These  murders  and  robberies  were  committed,  it  is  thought,  by  a 
band  of  Indians  called  "  Diggers,"  residing  in  the  northern  part  of 
this  Territory.  I  have  not  been  able  to  get  any  information  which 
can  be  relied  on  respecting  their  general  character  ;  it  is  thought, 
however,  that  the  whole  band  is  more  or  less  engaged  in  these  depre- 
dations. 1  have  thought,  therefore,  that  a  visit  to  'these  Indians 
would  have  a  good  effect.  It  is  important  that  something  should  be 
done  to  protect  emigration,  and  if  it  should  meet  your  approbation  I 
will  visit  them,  and,  if  possible,  make  such  arrangements  as  will  give 
security  on  the  route,  or  get  such  information  as  will  enable  the 
government  to  act  in  future.  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  an  agency 
established  on  the  Humboldt,  or  Mary's  river,  would  be  calculated  to 
afford  protection  to  emigration,  and,  perhaps,  be  the  means  of  con- 
ciliating these  Indians.  An  agency  at  this  point  would  be  the  means 
of  collecting  together  the  whites  in  sufficient  numbers,  not  only  to 
protect  themselves,  but  to  have  great  influence  with  the  Indians.  It 
might  be  necessary,  at  the  present,  to  make  them  a  few  presents  as 
an  earnest  of  our  friendly  disposition  towards  them.  There  is  already 


UTAH  EXPEDITION. 


149 


a  settlement  in  Carson  Valley,  near  the  territorial  limits,  and  as  this 
would  be  about  midway  between  the  settlements,  it  would,  no  doubt, 
be  the  best  point  to  make  an  establishment  for  future  operations  with 
the  Indians  and  for  the  protection  of  the  route? 

As  there  will  be  a  considerable  emigration  from  this  city  to  Cali- 
fornia and  Oregon  th:'s  spring,  and  as  they  will  be  leaving  in  a  few 
days,  a  small  escort  to  accompany  me  would  be  sufficient,  particularly 
as  our  object  would  be  of  a  pacific  character,  and  to  establish  friendly 
intercourse  between  the  whites  and  Indians. 

If  you  concur  with  me  in  any  of  these  views,  I  would  be  pleased  to 
have  your  advice  and  instructions. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAIST, 
Indian  Agent,  Utah  Territory. 

His  Excellency  BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Superintendent  Indian  Affairs,  Utah  Territory. 


No.  9. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  0.,  June  2,  1852. 

SIR:  Your  chief  cle*k,  Mr.  Mix,  having  this  morning  shown  me  a 
letter  from  Major  Holeman,  Indian  agent  for  Utah  Territory,  I  deem 
it  proper  to  state,  in  justice  to  myself  and  that  gentleman,  that  upon 
his  arrival  at  Great  Salt  Lake,  at  his  request,  I  introduced  him  to 
Governor  Young,  and  that  they,  upon  consultation,  agreed  that  the 
attendance  of  the  Indians  at  the  treaty,  although  not  parties  thereto, 
would  be  of  incalculable  benefit  to  them,  as  well  as  for  the  interest  of 
the  United  States  government. 

Governor  Young  desired  Mr.  Holeman  to  address  him  a  letter  con- 
taining his  views  on  the  subject,  and  the  impressions  he  had  as  to 
what  would  meet  the  wishes  of  your  department,  which  was  done. 
This  letter  was  shown  to  me  by  Major  H.,  as  well  as  the  answer  of 
Governor  Young,  in  which  he  (Gov.  Young)  instructed  Mr.  H.,  Mr. 
Rose,  and  myself  to  make  the  proper  preparations  for  conveying  the 
Indians  to  the  treaty  ground  ;  a  copy  of  these  letters  was  promised  me 
by  Mr.  Holeman,  but  has  not  been  received. 

The  governor  pledged  himself  that  the  men  who  might  accompany 
me  as  assistants,  and  in  connexion  with  my  interpreter,  should  receive 
a  reasonable  compensation. 

The  man  Vannettin,  of  the  number,  whom  Mr.  Holeman  speaks  of 
as  having  sued  liim^  refused  to  serve  upon  my  authority,  and  I  there- 
fore went  with  him  to  the  governor,  who  assured  him  that  he  should 
be  paid. 

It  was  also  the  express  order  of  the  governor  that  the  Indians  should 
be  conveyed  to  the  treaty  ground  (those  under  my  charge)  in  disguise, 
and  in  a  private  carriage,  and  furnished  with  all  necessary  supplies. 
Under  his  order  and  authority  I  purchased  the  means  of  conveyance, 
anticipating,  from  his  representation  and  that  of  the  interpreter,  that 
there  would  be  no  reluctance  on  the  part  of  the  Indians  to  go.  But, 


150  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

as  heretofore  stated  in  my  report  to  your  department,  after  all  arrange- 
ments were  made,  the  Indians  (that  is,  the  head  chiefs)  declined  going, 
alleging  that  it  was  agnere  ruse  on  the  part  of  the  Mormons  to  mas- 
sacre them.  This  was  the  report  of  my  interpreter  and  his  assistants, 
from  whom  I  was  necessarily  obliged  to  derive  my  information. 
Thereupon  the  governor  ordered  me,  in  the  presence  of  my  interpreter, 
to  make  presents  to  the  few  chiefs  who  had  expressed  a  willingness  to 
go,  which  was  done,  as  stated  in  my  report  above  referred  to,  which 
is  accompanied  by  a  certificate  of  my  interpreter  and  voucher. 

I  wish  to  endorse  to  the  fullest  extent  that  portion  of  Mr.  Hole- 
man's  letter  as  to  the  unjustifiable  conduct  of  the  Mormon  authorities 
of  Utah,  and  their  seditious  and  violent  expressions  with  regard  to 
the  government  of  the  United  States,  and  all  who  do  not  belong  to 
their  so  called  religion,  whom  they  term  "Gentiles;"  and  I  am  still  of 
the  opinion,  as  expressed  in  my  report  to  you,  and  to  which  I  again 
beg  to  refer  you,  that  no  officer  of  the  government,  other  than  a  Mor- 
mon, can  reside  within  that  Territory,  if  officially  under  the  surveil- 
lance of  Brigham  Young,  as  governor,  without  compromising  his  own 
self-respect  and  the  honor  and  dignity  of  this  great  republican  gov- 
ernment. 

I  also  agree  in  the  opinion  expressed  by  Major  Holeman  of  the 
present  sub  Indian  agent,  J.  B.  Rose,  who  is  a  devoted  Mormon,  and 
as  unprincipled  as  any  of  the  sect.  I  trust  yoli  will  not  consider  my 
opinions  as  meaning  to  be  at  all  intrusive. 

Thanking  you  again  for  your  uniform  kindness  to  me  and  for  the 
appointment  received  at  your  hands,  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  R.  DAY, 
Late  Sub- Indian  Agent  for  Utah, 


No.  10. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  UTAH  TERRITORY, 

May  2,  1852. 

SIR  :  The  mail  did  not  leave  here  yesterday ;  it  was  snowing  and 
storming  all  day.  The  snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  six  inches.  I  have 
been  informed  this  morning  that  a  Mr.  Williams  has  received  a  letter 
from  a  friend  of  his,  a  Mormon,  stating  that  he  is  associated  with  a 
company  of  white  men  and  Indians,  who  are  stationed  near  Carson 
valley,  and  that  their  Abject  is  to  plunder  and  rob  the  emigrants.  He 
advises  Williams,  who  is  a  Mormon  also,  to  paint  the  horns  of  his 
cattle,  so  that  he  may  be  known,  as  they  do  not  wish  to  molest  the 
brethren.  We  ought  to  have  troops  here.  These  whites,  associated 
with  the  Indians,  are  committing  so  many  depredations  on  this  route 
that  something  ought  to  be  done.  I  have  not  time  to  write  more  as 
the  mail  is  closed.  I  have  to  send  this  by  private  hand  to  be  mailed 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  151 

at  Laramie.     I  will  endeavor  to  ascertain  more  particularly  all  these 
matters,  and  inform  you  by  next  mail. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  JL  HOLEMAN, 

Indian  Agent. 
Hon.  L.  LEA. 


No.  11. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  UTAH  TERRITORY, 

May  8,  1852. 

SIR  :  I  advised  you  by  letter,  dated  May  2,  that  I  had  received 
information  of  the  organization  of  a  band  of  robbers,  whites  and  In- 
dians, who  had  located  themselves  on  the  road  leading  from  this  city 
to  California.  I  have  since  learned  that  the  individual  who  made  the 
communication  to  Mr.  Williams  is  a  notorious  character,  by  the 
name  of  u  Reading,"  and  although  he  was  once  a  member  of  the  Mor- 
mon church,  he  is  now  held  by  them  in  utter  contempt,  and  looked 
upon  as  a  great  scoundrel ;  but  in  consequent  of  some  act  of  personal 
friendship  which  was  shown  him  by  Mr.  Williams  previously,  he  has 
given  him  the  information,  thus  fulfilling  the  old  adage  of  "  honor 
among  thieves."  lam  not,  however,  to  be  understood  as  including 
Mr.  Williams.  From  what  I  can  learn,  there  is  no  doubt  of  the  ex- 
istence of  this  band,  and  that  their  object  is  to  plunder  the  emigrants 
and  all  who  travel  that  road.  The  road  from  this  city  intersects  the 
road  leading  from  the  States  to  California,  at  or  near  the  Humboldt 
or  Mary's  river,  beyond  which  the  principal  robberies  are  committed. 

I  shall  leave  for  the  Humboldt  to-morrow,  with  an  escort,  and  shall 
use  every  exertion  to  reconcile  the  Indians,  and,  if  possible,  prevail  on 
them  to  withdraw  from  the  land. 

I  have  expressed  the  opinion  in  my  previous  communication  that 
white  men  were  the  instigators  of  the  disturbances  on  this  route.  It 
is  now  reduced  to  a  certainty,  as  the  information  just  received  may  be 
relied  on.  I  am  aware  that  it  would  be  more  proper  for  me  to  await 
instructions  upon  this  subject.  In  frequent  conversations  with  Gover- 
nor Young  relative  to  the  disturbances  on  this  route,  and  the  impor- 
tance of  doing  something  for  the  protection  of  the  emigration  and 
the  travel  generally,  although  he  did  not  give  me  instructions,  yet  he 
strongly  advised  it,  and  requested  that  I  would  address  him  a  com- 
munication on  the  subject,  as  it  would  "  be  better  for  all  these  matters 
to  be  in  writing."  I  done  so,  as  I  have  previously  informed  you,  but 
received  from  him  no  reply.  He  being  absent,  and  not  having  it  in 
my  power  to  confer  with  him,  or  to  receive  any  instructions  from  him, 
the  distance  from  Washington,  and  the  delay  whicb  must  occur  in 
getting  advices,  the  danger  of  delay,  and  the  necessity  for  immediate 
action,  all  seem  to  justify  me,  if  it  does  not  absolutely  make  it  my 
duty  to  take  the  trip.  Besides,  delay  at  present  would  greatly  lessen 
the  chances  for  making  arrangements  and  quieting  these  Indians. 
A  large  emigration  has  already  left,  and  others  are  leaving  almost 


152  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

daily  ;  all  expect  difficulties  with  the  Indians,  and  are  prepared  to 
meet  them.  With  such  feelings  as  exist,  they  may  hring  on  difficul- 
ties by  imprudent  or  hasty  conduct ;  and  should  this  occur  the  breach 
will  be  widened,  and  it  will  be  more  difficult  to  do  anything  with 
them.  It  is  my  intention  to  put  myself  in  front  of  the  emigration 
and  meet  these  Indians  in  friendship.  They  know  nothing  of  the 
friendly  disposition  of  the  government  towards  them,  of  the  power  of 
our  people,  or  the  vast  resources  of  our  country  ;  and  having  been 
treated  sometimes,  no  doubt,  badly  by  the  white  man,  with  their 
general  feeling  and  disposition  to  revenge,  they  have  become  the 
enemy  of  our  people.  If,  by  a  pacific  course  and  kind  treatment,  I 
can  induce  them  to  abandon  their  practices  of  plundering  and  mur- 
dering, the  whites  who  are  associated  with  them,  and  who  no  doubt 
have  instigated  them  to  these  acts,  will  be  left  to  their  own  resources, 
and  not  having  the  Indians  to  shield  them,  they  may  be  easily  man- 
aged ;  but  so  long  as  they  have  the  Indians  associated  with  them, 
and  assume  the  Indian  costume,  which  I  am  informed  they  do,  the 
Indians  of  other  tribes  will  take  advantage  of  the  prospect  for  plun- 
dering which  is  thereby  afforded,  and  parties  will  be  frequently  found 
harrassing  the  emigration,  and  keep  the  road  in  constant  turmoil. 
Therefore,  situated  as  1  am,  I  have  either  to  "take  the  responsi- 
bility" or  remain  inactive  until  I  can  hear  from  you.  As  I  consider 
it  of  the  utmost  importance,  from  the  best  information  I  can  get,  that 
an  effort  should  be  made,  and  that  immediately,  to  give  peace  and 
security  to  this  route,  and  as  I  have  been  left  to  the  exercise  of  my 
own  judgment,  I  have  thought  it  my  duty  to  visit  these  Indians. 

If  I  can  do  nothing  more,  I  shall  have  it  in  my  power  to  give  the 
department  such  information  as  will  enable  the  government  to  act  ad- 
visedly in  future,  for  act  she  must,  sooner  or  later,  and  the  longer  it 
is  put  off  the  more  difficult  it  will  be,  and  the  greater  the  cost. 

As  this  will  be  the  great  thoroughfare  for  emigration  and  travel  from 
the  States  to  California  and  Oregon,  government  will  be  bound  to 
take  such  steps  as  will  give  security  to  the  road,  cost  what  it  may,  even 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 

Should  this  or  any  other  course  which  I  have  deemed  it  my  duty  to 
pursue  not  meet  the  approbation  of  the  department,  you  will  please 
inform  me,  and  give  me  such  instructions  as  will  enable  me  to  comply 
with  the  wishes  of  the  government.  It  is  due  to  the  department,  as 
well  as  to  myself,  that  I  should  be  candid.  I  have  no  idea,  with 
Governor  Young  at  the  head  of  the  Indian  department,  that  I  shall  be 
able  to  do  anything  that  can  be  of  service  to  the  government,  or  to  the 
Indians,  or  creditable  to  myself.  Therefore,  if  Governor  Young  is 
continued  as  superintendent,  I  had  as  well  leave,  for  it  must  be  evident 
to  the  department,  from  his  course  recently,  that  his  personal  feelings 
towards  me,  or  something  else,  has  induced  him  to  neglect  the  interests 
of  the  government  in  a  matter  in  which  but  a  short  time  since  he 
seemed  to  be  deeply  interested,  and  which  he  considered  of  the  greatest 
importance  to  the  government,  to  the  Indians,  and  to  this  Territory. 
Whether  any  other  Gentile  could  succeed  better  with  him  than  I  have 
done  is  extremely  doubtful,  as  I  have  studiously  avoided  meddling 
with  their  peculiar  notions  of  religion  in  any  manner,  and  have  en- 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  153 

deavored  to  avoid  giving  them  any  offence  personally.  So  far  as  my 
public  duties  have  prompted  ma  to  speak  of  them,  I  leave  to  the  de- 
partment to  judge.  I  have  spoken  of  them  and  their  acts,  as  I  believed 
to  be  my  duty  ;  I  have  misrepresented  them  in  nothing,  for  I  have 
had  no  personal  enmity  to  gratify. 

If  I  should  find  it  important  to  the  interests  of  the  government  and 
necessary  for  future  operations  with  the  Indians,  I  shall  establish  an 
agency  at  some  point  on  the  Humboklt  or  Mary's  river,  as  it  will  have 
a  tendency  to  protect  the  route  and  afford  facilities  to  emigration.  If 
I  shoujd  establish  this  agency,  and  if  it  should  be  the  wish  of  the 
department  that  I  remain  in  this  Territory,  I  would  be  pleased  to 
have  this  agency  assigned  to  me.  As  nothing  can  be  done  here  of 
much  importance  during  the  winter  season,  I  should  be  gratified,  if 
it  would  meet  the  views  of  the  department,  to  be  ordered  to  Wash- 
ington this  fall,  and  directed  to  bring  with  me  some  of  the  chiefs  and 
braves  of  the  several  tribes  who  reside  in  this  Territory.  A  few  of 
their  principle  men,  who  have  an  influence  with  their  tribe,  could  do 
more  good,  by  explaining  the  extent  and  resources  of  our  government 
and  people,  than  could  be  effected  in  any  other  way  by  the  same 
amount  of  trouble  and  expense. 

Since  writing  the  above,  we  have  received  .intelligence  that  an  ad- 
vance train  of  emigrants  from  this  place  for  Oregon,  numbering  about 
thirty  men  and  several  women,  have  been  attacked  by  Indians,  and 
all  the  men  killed,  the  women  taken  prisoners.  The  information 
was  brought  by  Indians  who  profess  to  be  and  who  have  always  been 
friendly  to  the  whites.  Mr.  Bullock,  the  private  secretary  of  the  gov- 
ernor, is  of  the  opinion  that  the  information  is  true,  as  he  has  received 
it  from  a  source  which,  he  says,  can  be  relied  on  ;  several  circum- 
stances seem  to  justify  the  report.  For  myself,  I  cannot  believe  it,  yet 
it  may  be  true.  I  shall,  therefore,  increase  my  number  of  men,  if  pos- 
sible, and  proceed  without  delay  to  ascertain  the  facts,  and  report  to 
you  by  next  mail,  should  anything  serious  have  occurred.  There  is 
a  great  want  of  certain  information  relative  to  the  condition  and  num- 
bers of  these  bands  or  tribes,  which  renders  it  very  difficult  to  form 
any  opinion  of  the  best  course  to  pursue.  From  such  information  as 
I  can  get,  they  seem  to  have  no  fixed  location,  but  assemble  on  the 
road  as  the  season  for  emigration  approaches  ;  they  then  infest  the 
road  from  the  Goose  Creek  mountains  to  Carson  valley,  a  distance  of 
about  five  hundred  miles. 

We  are  in  great  confusion  here  ;  we  want  a  few  troops  on  this  route 
very  badly.  The  white  Indians,  I  apprehend,  are  much  more  danger- 
ous than  the  red.  The  renegades,  deserters  and  thieves,  who  have 
had  to  fly  from  justice  in  California,  have  taken  refuge  in  the  moun- 
tains, and  having  associated  themselves  with  the  Indians,  are  more 
savage  than  the  Indians  themselves  ;  by  their  cruelty  to  the  whites, 
they  nave  stimulated  the  Indians  to  acts  of  barbarity  which  they  were 
never  known  to  be  guilty  of  before. 

It  has  not  been  known  until  recently,  although  strongly  suspected, 
that  whites  were  engaged  with  these  Indians,  and  believing  that  the 
Indians,  alone,  were  the  depredators,  our  people  have  shown  them  but 
little  favor  or  kindness,  often,  no  doubt,  treating  the  innocent  with 


154  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

severity.  This  has  produced  a  state  of  feeling  unfriendly  to  the  whites, 
generally  ;  and  although  it  cannot  he  said  that  we  are  really  in  a  state 
of  war  with  these  Indians,  yet  the  effect  upon  our  people  is  the  same. 
These  Indians,  by  their  frequent  depredations  on  the  whites,  are  sup- 
plying themselves  with  horses,  arms,  ammunition,  &c.,  and  if  not 
checked,  they  will  very  shortly  be  able  to  make  a  formidable  resistance. 

The  rugged  state  of  the  country,  and  their  knowledge  of  the  moun- 
tain passes  will  enable  them  to  flee  wherever  and  whenever  they  may 
wish  ,  this  will  render  it  almost  impossible  to  subdue  them  by  waging 
war  upon  them. 

The  best  mode  to  be  pursued,  at  present,  is  to  conciliate  them,  if 
possible,  by  kindness.  Should  this  course  prove  unsuccessful,  we  shall 
then  have  left  no  other  alternative  but  force. 

The  most  intelligent  of  our  citizens  with  whom  I  have  conversed 
advised  me,  and  seem  anxious  that  I  should  make  an  effort,  to  quiet 
these  Indians  and  give  security  to  this  route. 

My  feelings  and  judgment  prompt  me  to  do  so  ;  yet,  having  no  in- 
structions which  seem  to  authorize  me,  I  fear  that  the  department 
may  not  justify  me  in  the  course  I  have  taken.  But  when  I  look  at 
the  peculiar  situation  of  this  route  at  present — the  great  number  of 
emigrants,  and  the  vast  amount  of  property  which  will  pass  this  road, 
it  is  important  that  something  should  be  done,  and  I  cannot  hesi- 
tate. And  although  the  expedition  will  cost  the  government  some 
money,  I  am  clearly  of  the  opinion  that  the  peculiar  situation  of  the 
country  makes  it  necessary  that  the  effort  should  be  made. 
•  I  have  had  no  instructions  in  relation  to  interpreters.  I  see,  by 
your  annual  report,  in  your  instructions  to  the  agent  in  Texas,  that 
you  say  "  each  agent  will  be  allowed  for  the  service  of  an  interpreter 
within  his  district  at  the  rate  of  seven  hundred  and  thirty-three  T3o3o 
dollars  per  annum" — while  the  allowance,  as  stated  in  your  appendix, 
is  fixed  at  $500.  I  presume  the  $233  33  is  for  the  purpose  of  defray 
ing  the  expense  of  the  interpreter.  I  have  in  my  employment,  as  in- 
terpreter, a  man  who  speaks  the  Snake  and  Ute  languages.  I  find 
him  much  more  convenient  and  useful  than  if  he  spoke  but  one  lan- 
guage. Would  it  be  proper  to  allow  him  an  addition  to  the  $500  ? 
He  is  very  efficient ;  has  been  in  the  country  several  years,  and  is  well 
acquainted  with  these  tribes.  I  fear  I  shall  not  be  able  to  retain  his 
services  at  $500  and  he  pay  his  own  expenses,  as  he  can  engage  in  no 
other  business,  and  living  is  very  dear.  Why  is  it  that  agents  in  Cali- 
fornia are  allowed  $3,000  each,  and  those  in  Mexico  and  Utah  but 
$1,550  ?  The  labor  and  expenses  are  as  arduous  and  as  costly  in  Utah 
as  in  California.  Many  articles  necessary  cost  more  than  double  the 
amount  here  that  they  do  in  California,  and  the  general  expenses  of 
living  are  higher.  I  think  they  should  be  equal  in  salary;  and,  if  I 
mistake  not,  I  was  led  to  believe  that  the  salary  of  agent  and  other 
officers  in  this  Territory  would  be  increased. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 
Indian  Agent,  Utah  Territory. 
Hon.  L.  LEA. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  155 

P.  S.  May  12. — In  consequence  of  the  scarcity  of  horses  and  men, 
I  have  been  compelled  to  delay,  as  I  could  not  get  a  sufficient  escort. 
I  have  been  compelled  to  purchase  horses,  as  the  men  I  could  get  to 
go  with  me  had  none  of  their  own.  The  horses  I  have  purchased  will 
command  the  same  money  if  I  should  be  able  to  return  with  them  in 
good  order,  in  which  case  the  department  will  lose  nothing. 

I  have  drawn  on  the  department  for  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dol- 
lars, in  favor  of  Holliday  &  Warner,  dated  May  13,  1852,  which  is 
for  outfit  and  horses,  and  the  equipment  of  twenty-seven  men,  all  I 
can  raise. 

We  received  information  this  evening  from  Box  Elder,  seventy 
miles  north  of  this  city,  that  two  hundred  Indians,  of  the  Pa-nack 
tribe,  had  made  a  move  for  the  Humboldt,  for  the  purpose  of  joining 
in  the  plunder  of  the  emigrants.  This  intelligence  compels  me  to 
start  the  force  I  have  already  equipped.  I  shall  make  an  effort  to  en- 
gage more  to-morrow,  and  follow  them  with  all  haste,  I  made  thi~ 
move  from  the  extreme  necessity  of  the  case. 

There  being  no  one  here  to  give  me  instructions,  I  must  rely  on  the 
.generosity  of  the  department  if  I  should  have  transcended  my  duties, 
for  I  really  do  not  know  what  they  are.     I  shall  spare  no  pains  or 
trouble  to  correct  these  abuses  ;  and,  should  I  fail,  I  shall  be  able  to 
give  the  department  such  information  as  will  be  of  importance  for  fu- 
ture operations,  with  as  little  expense  as  possible. 
•  Yours,  &c., 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 
Indian  Agent,  Utah  Territory. 


No.  12. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY, 

August  30,  1852. 

SIR  :  I  addressed  you  two  communications  from  Carson  valley, 
dated  June  28  and  July  19,  in  which  I  informed  you  of  my  operations 
up  to  that  time.  I  subsequently  visited  a  village  of  the  Pi-Utah 
tribe  of  Indians,  who  reside  in  and  about  that  region  of  country, 
numbering  about  three  hundred  and  fifty,  whom  I  found  friendly  dis- 
posed, but  somewhat  excited,  on  account  of  the  frequent  abuses  which 
they  had  received  from  the  whites.  I  held  a  talk  with  them  of  several 
hours — four  of  their  chiefs  and  many  of  their  principal  men  were 
present — in  all  of  which  they  manifested  the  greatest  friendship,  and 
seemed  very  much  pleased  with  the  idea  of  being  on  friendly  terms 
with  the  whites,  They  said  they  "  did  not  wish  to  be  mad  with  the 
whites,  or  to  war  with  them  ;  but  that  the  whites  had  got  mad  with 
them,  and  were  always  at  war  with  them ;  that  they  could  not  hunt  or 
catch  fish  for  their  squaws  and  children,  for  fear  of  the  whites,  who 
were  constantly  shooting  them  ;  that  the  whites  would  profess  friend- 
ship, call  them  to  their  camp,  and  shoot  them  ;  that  the  whites  would 
steal  their  horses,  and  sometimes  take  them  by  force/'  with  many  other 
charges  of  an  aggravated  character.  All  this  they  said  "  they  had  borne 


156  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

for  a  long  time  ;  at  length,  some  of  their  young  men  determined  to  re- 
taliate, and  that  they  had  killed  as  many  whites  as  the  whites  had 
killed  Indians,  and  taken  as  many  horses  from  the  whites  as  they  had 
taken  from  them.  They  were  now  satisfied,  and  if  the  whites  would 
let  them  alone,  they  would  disturb  the  whites  no  further/'  They 
said  they  had  "  never  wished  to  be  at  war  with  the  whites;  that 
they  wished  peace,  and  had  kept  from  the  road  to  be  out  of  the  way  ; 
that  they  could  see  them  passing  every  day,  but  had  not  interrupted 
them  in  any  manner,  and  that  they  would  not,  if  the  whites  would 
let  them  alone."  The  candor  with  which  they  talked,  and  the  seem- 
ing justice  of  their  course,  induced  me  to  put  much  confidence  in  their 
professions  of  friendship.  That  they  have  been  treated  badly  there 
is  no  doubt.  These  whites  who  loaf  about  the  country,  pretending  to 
trade  with  the  emigrants,  are  principally  men  of  a  reckless  character, 
and  care  but  little  what  they  do  ;  they  even  talked  of  driving  me  from 
the  country,  because  I  had  manifested  a  disposition  to  protect  and  be- 
friend the  Indians.  These  Indians  seem  to  be  very  poor  ;  but  few  of 
them  have  guns  ;  they  use  principally  the  bow  and  arrow.  Two  of 
the  chiefs  and  six  warriors  returned  with  me  to  my  camp.  I  gave, 
them  some  provisions  and  a  few  presents,  and  sent  the  other  two 
chiefs  also  a  present.  They  were  much  pleased,  and  promised  me 
that  none  of  their  men  should  disturb  the  whites  in  future.  If  the 
whites  would  pursue  a  friendly  course  towards  these  Indians,  and 
treat  them  kindly,  I  do  not  think  there  would  be  any  trouble* with 
them.  I  travelled  down  Carson  river  to  the  desert,  by  slow  marches, 
expecting  to  be  able  to  find  the  whereabouts  of  another  village  ;  but 
they  had  moved  oft',  and  I  could  not  learn  where. 

I  crossed  the  desert  on  the  29th  ult  ,  and  arrived  in  this  city  on  the 
22d  inst.  I  travelled  up  the  Humboldt,  slowly,  with  the  hope  of  meet- 
ing the  Indians  and  their  friends  whom  I  had  talked  with  on  my  trip 
out.  In  this  hope  I  was,  to  some  extent,  disappointed.  The  vast 
number  of  emigrants  on  the  road,  and  the  disposition  of  some  1o  kill 
the  Indians,  had  kept  the  Indians  from  the  road.  I  occasionally  laid 
by,  sent  out  my  interpreter  through  the  hills,  and  made  every  effort 
to  collect  them,  but  without  success.  Those  I  found  were  in  small 
parties,  very  shy,  but  friendly.  They  informed  me  that  the  Indians 
I  had  seen  and  conversed  with  on  my  outward  trip  had  told  them 
that  the  great  captain  of  the  whites  had  sent  them  word  to  be  friendly 
to  the  whites  travelling  through  their  country,  and  they  intended  to 
do  so;  and  to  prevent  difficulty,  they  had  moved  their  lodges  far  from 
the  road.  They  were  all  much  pleased  with  the  kindness  of  myself 
and  company,  and  promised  that  there  should  be  no  disturbance  with 
the  whites  by  any  of  their  tribe ;  and,  judging  from  the  fact  that  there 
have  been  no  depredations  or  attacks  on  the  emigrant  trains  this  sea- 
son, during  the  whole  route  from  the  Goose  Creek  mountain  to  Car- 
son valley,  where  last  season  not  a  train  passed  without  murders  and 
robberies,  it  seems  they  are  determined  to  carry  out  their  professions 
of  friendship.  On  my  return  from  Carson  valley,  along  the  whole 
source  of  the  Humboldt,  I  met  with  hundreds  of  wagons  daily,  with 
many  small  companies,  some  on  foot,  some  packing,  and  frequently  a 
solitary  traveller,  and  none  had  been  molested,  as  they  informed  me, 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  157 

by  the  Indians  ;  many  had  not  even  guarded  thdr  stock  at  night,  yet 
they  had  gone  through  without  any  difficulty. 

There  had  been  some  few  robberies,  cattle  or  horses  stolen,,  but  those 
who  were  robbed  assured  me  that  it  had  been  done  by  white  men. 
In  fact,  I  took  the  description,  brands,  &c.,  of  several  horses  thus 
lost,  and  found  two  of  them  in  the  hands  of  the  traders  who  had  sta- 
tioned themselves  on  the  road  ;  I  took  them  in  possession  and  dis- 
posed of  them  according  to  the  direction  of  their  owners.  There  has 
been  a  great  many  outbreaks  and  difficulties  between  the  emigrants 
themselves  ;  companies  have  quarreled,  killed  each  other,  and  broken 
up;  some,  from  their  bad  conduct,  have  been  drivenfrom  their  companies; 
many  of  these  men  are  scattered  over  the  road  without  means,  living 
on  the  charity  of  others ;  they  also  steal  and  commit  other  depreda- 
tions, which  they  endeavor  to  lay  upon  the  Indians.  The  truth  is, 
this  portion  of  the  emigration  and  these  pretended  traders  are  de- 
cidedly worse  than  the  In  lians,  and  cause  nearly,  if  not  all  the  troubles 
on  the  road.  It  is  the  univeral  opinion  of  the  emigrants  that  the 
Indians  have  been  quiet  and  have  acted  friendly  throughout,  and 
that  all  the  depredations  are  the  acts  of  white  men  ;  these,  however, 
have  been  few. 

In  getting  up  this  expedition,  as  I  have  previously  informed  you,  I 
was  advised  to  do  so  by  Governor  Young,  who  afterwards  refused  to 
render  me  any  assistance  whatever.  I  have  also  informed  you  of  his 
conduct  in  relation  to  the  whole  matter.  I  have  used  the  utmost 
economy  in  every  respect.  I  was  compelled  to  purchase  some  horses 
for  the  expedition,  but  these  I  shall  be  able,  after  recruiting  them  a 
little,  to  sell  at  cost,  or  nearly  so.  I  lost  three;  one  got  crippled,  which 
I  had  to  leave,  another  gave  out,  and  one  failed,  so  as  to  be  unable  to 
travel  home,  and  I  sold  him  for  little  or  nothing.  To  save  expense,  as 
soon  as  I  arrived  in  Carson  valley  I  discharged  as  many  of  my  men 
as  I  could*  spare,  keeping  only  a  sufficient  number  to  answer  the  pur- 
pose of  herding  and  guarding  the  horses,  &c. 

Not  having  time  to  make  a  detailed  report  of  my  operations  by  this 
mail,  I  merely  write  to  inform  you  of  my  success,  and  my  arrival  in 
this  city.  In  my  September  report  I  shall  give  you  a  full  account  of 
all  matters,  and  have  no  doubt  but  the  success  of  the  expedition,  as 
well  as  the  expenditures,  will  meet  the  approbation  of  the  department; 
for,  judging  from  the  difficulties  which  have  occurred  during  the 
past  two  seasons,  hundreds  of  lives  and  thousands  of  dollars  worth  of 
property  have  been  saved,  to  say  nothing  of  the  suffering  of  the  emi- 
grants themselves  ;  besides,  the  government  is  made  acquainted  with 
facts  which  will  enable  her  to  establish  peace  and  quiet  on  this 
route  in  future.  At  present  there  is  no  difficulty  on  the  road,  so  far 
as  the  Indians  are  concerned;  but  I  fear  the  conduct  of  the  whites  may 
excite  the  Indians,  and  cause  another  outbreak.  I  had  great  difficulty 
in  restraining  the  whites  while  there.  I  should  have  remained  there 
until  the  emigrants  had  ceased  passing,  but  the  expense  of  living  in 
that  country  is  so  great,  and  all  seemed  to  be  quiet,  that  I  concluded 
it  was  best  for  me  to  return  and  discharge  my  men,  as  they  were  under 
pay  of  $25  per  month,  which  was  the  lowest  price  at  which  I  could 
engage  them  ;  those  who  furnished  their  own  horses  I  allowed  ten 


158  UTAII   EXPEDITION. 

dollars  more,  making  $35  for  the  services  of  man  and  horse  per  month. 
This  was  low,  considering  the  price  of  wages  generally  throughout 
this  country. 

With  great  respect,  I  remain,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 

Indian  Agent,  U.  T. 
Hon.  L.  LEA, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  Washington  City. 


No.  13. 

FORT  BRIDGER,  UTAH  TERRITORY, 

November  3,  1852. 

SIR  :  During  the  past  summer  there  has  been  some  excitement  with 
the  Indians  and  whites  in  this  Territory,  in  consequence  of  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  ferry  and  bridge  across  Green  river  by  the  legislature  of 
Utah  Territory.  It  seems  that  for  several  years  previous  ferries 
have  been  established  by  the  mountaineers  for  the  accommodation  of 
travellers  on  the  various  roads  crossing  the  river.  At  the  last  session 
of  the  legislature  a  charter  was  granted  to  a  Mr.  Moore,  (a  Mormon,) 
giving  to  him  the  exclusive  privilege  of  ferrying,  and  thereby  exclud- 
ing all  others  ;  a  certain  portion  of  the  tolls  were  set  apart  by  this 
act  for  the  benefit  and  use  of  the  Mormon  church.  A  charter  was 
also  granted  to  a  company,  (all  Mormons,)  for  the  purpose  of  building 
a  bridge  across  this  river.  These  charters,  and  the  occupation  of  the 
country  by  the  Mormons,  have  produced  much  excitement  among  the 
Indians,  who  express  their  disapprobation  in  the  strongest  terms.  I 
received  a  few  days  since  the  following  letter  : 

"FoRT  BRIDGER,  October  9,  1852. 

11  DEAR  SIR  :  I  beg  to  call  your  attention  to  the  disturbed  state  of 
the  Snake  Indians  at  this  moment,  in  consequence  of  the  occupation 
of  a  part  of  their  country  by  the  Mormon  whites.  Being  an  American 
citizen,  and  having  the  welfare  and  honor  of  my  country  in  view,  I 
believe  it  is  imperative  for  you,  without  delay,  to  allay  by  all  the 
means  in  your  authority  the  present  excitement.  I  saw  the  chiefs 
here  in  council  at  this  fort,  «and  heard  them  assert  that  they  intended 
to  immediately  drive  the  whites  from  their  lands,  and  much  persua- 
sion was  used  to  pacify  them  for  the  present  time.  And  now,  dear 
sir,  if  you  do  not  use  the  authority  vested  in  you  speedily,  I  do  believe 
and  fear  scenes  of  destruction  and  bloodshed  will  soon  ensue. 
c i  Eespectfully ,  yours, 

"A.  WILSON. 

"  Major  J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 

"Indian  Agent.11 

The  above  letter  is  from  a  gentlemen  passing  through  the  country 
on  his  return  to  the  States  from  California,  and  who  was  remaining 
at  Fort  Bridger  a  few  days.  I  visited  immediately  the  section  of 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  159 

country  alluded  to,  and  found  that  a  company  of  Mormons,  under  the 
charter  of  the  legislature  of  Utah  Territory,  had  assembled  on  Green 
river,  and  commenced  the  construction  of  a  bridge  ;  but  finding  so 
much  opposition  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  they  determined  to 
abandon  it  for  the  present,  and  all  have  returned  to  Salt  Lake  City. 
This  satisfied  the  Indians^  who  immediately  left ;  all  is  quiet.  The 
Mormons,  I  understand,  intend  to  resume  their  efforts  to  build  this 
bridge  in  the  spring.  The  Indians,  I  also  understand,  have  resolved 
that  the  Mormons  shall  neither  occupy  a  ferry  nor  build  a  bridge  on 
this  river,  which  is  some  160  miles  from  the  settlements  in  Salt  Lake 
valley.  Both  parties,  I  understand,  are  determined.  Should  the 
Mormons  persist  in  their  determination,  a  war  will  be  the  consequence, 
and  great  distress  and  suffering  must  follow,  as  it  is  on  the  main  emi- 
gration route  from  and  to  California  and  Oregon. 

In  regard  to  the  occupation  of  the  Indian  country  under  these 
charters  from  the  legislature  of  the  Territory,  and  their  authority  to 
grant  them,  I  should  be  pleased  to  have  advice  and  instructions 
immediately.  Major  Hockaday,  who  will  hand  you  this,  is  fully 
advised  of  all  the  circumstances ;  I  refer  you  to  him  for  further  infor- 
mation. In  relation  to  these  ferries  and  bridge,  the  charter  provides 
that  ten  cents  in  every  dollar  received  as  toll  shall  be  paid  into  the 
tithing  office  for  the  benefit  of  the  church.  This  seems  to  me  to  be 
unconstitutional ;  advise  me  in  relation  to  this  matter.  I  am  called 
upon  almost  daily  for  information  and  am  not  able  to  give  it,  not 
knowing  the  power  of  the  territorial  legislature. 

I  wish,  also,  advice  in  relation  to  the  use  of  spirituous  liquors.  On 
the  route  from  the  States  to  Salt  Lake  City  there  are  two  establish- 
ments for  the  accommodation  of  travellers  and  emigration.  I  have 
given  them  license  as  Indian  traders,  being  in  the  Indian  country ; 
they  keep  spirits  for  the  use  of  the  travel,  but  in  no  case  do  they 
permit  the  use  of  it  by  the  Indians ;  they  are  what  may  be  termed 
tavern  keepers.  If  it  is  improper  for  me  to  allow  them  this  privilege, 
please  advise  me. 

The  Mormon  authorities  have  levied  a  tax  on  these  mountaineers, 
and  have  collected  it  in  some  instances.  As  the  tax  is  considered  extra- 
vagant, and  partly  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  Mormon  church,  it  is 
producing  much  excitement,  and  I  fear  will  produce  bloodshed.  These 
men  declare  their  willingness  to  pay  any  tax  which  the  government 
may  demand,  but  refuse  to  pay  a  Mormon  tax,  as  they  term  it.  As  I 
am  frequently  called  upon  for  information  on  these  subjects ;  I  should 
like  to  be  fully  advised,  as  it  may  prevent  difficulty  and  trouble  in 
future. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 
Indian  Agent,  Utah  Territory, 

Hon.  L.  LEA, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 


160  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


No.  14. 

WEBBER  STATION,  March  5,  1853. 

SIR  :  I  addressed  you  a  hasty  note  in  November  last,  from  Fort 
Bridger,  in  relation  to  difficulties  between  the  Mormons  and  the 
Indians.  I  remained  on  Green  river  ;  had  frequent  conversations 
with  the  Indians,  until  all  matters  were  quieted  for  the  present  ;  but 
I  fear  a  disturbance  if  the  country  should  be  settled  and  occupied  by 
the  Mormons,,  or  if  they  should  attempt  to  build  bridges  and  establish 
ferries,  under  the  acts  of  the  territorial  legislature  alluded  to  in  my 
note  of  November  last.  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know  how  to  act.  I  have 
so  frequently  asked  for  information  and  instructions  on  various  matters 
without  receiving  any,  that  I  fear  my  communications  have  not  reached 
you.  I  hope,  however,  that  they  have  not  miscarried,  and  that  I 
shall  receive  them  by  the  first  mail.  We  have  not  had  a  mail  from 
the  States  since  October.  There  has  been  so  much  snow  that  the 
mountains  and  roads  have  been  impassable,  except  on  foot,  with  snow 
shoes.  I  have  been  unable  to  reach  Salt  Lake.  I  was  compelled  to 
remain  at  Bridger  until  January,  when  a  warm  spell  dissolved  the 
snow,  and  I  made  an  effort,  but  could  get  no  further  than  this  place, 
where  I  have  been  compelled  to  remain  ever  since — some  three  months 
— living  upon  the  wild  game  that  we  could  kill.  There  are  three 
Mormon  families  living  here.  All  they  have  to  live  on  is  flour. 
They  have  no  meat  but  such  as  they  can  kill.  From  these  we  have 
been  enabled  to  get  bread,  and  such  other  accommodations  as  they 
can  afford,  but  at  a  very  high  price,  and  none  of  the  best  at  that. 
They  have  but  a  scant  supply  for  themselves.  I  have  remained  here 
in  this  predicament  on  account  of  my  horses,  being  satisfied  that  if  I 
left  them  they  would  be  lost.  I  have  a  hired  man  with  me,  and  by 
our  constant  attention  we  have  been  enabled  to  save  them  through  the 
winter.  The  snow  is  disappearing  on  the  south  hill  sides  ;  the  grass 
is  commencing  to  grow  ;  and  I  hope  to  be  able  in  a  few  days  to  reach 
Salt  Lake  City,  when  I  will  communicate  to  you  more  fully.  There 
being  no  mails  from  this  Territory  to  the  States  since  October  has 
prevented  me  from  writing  before.  The  mail  carrier  of  October  was 
compelled  to  leave  his  horses  and  part  of  his  mail  here,  and  take  the 
letter  bag  to  the  city  on  foot.  He  has  just  arrived  from  the  city  with 
the  March  mail,  after  a  laborious  travel  of  five  days,  only  forty  miles, 
and  will  make  an  effort  to  reach  the  States.  He  reports  the  mountains 
impassable  for  horses,  particularly  weak  as  ours  are,  but  I  hope  to  be 
able  to  leave  in  a  few  days.  You  will  please  receive  this  as  my  ex- 
cuse for  not  communicating  to  you  at  the  end  of  each  quarter. 

My  situation  with  Gov.  Young,  as  superintendent,  is  rather  an  un- 
pleasant one  ;  while  I  feel  disposed  to  treat  all  parties  fairly,  and  pro- 
tect the  Indians,  so  as  to  prevent  difficulties  with  the  whites,  he  seems 
to  have  no  other  anxiety  but  to  favor  his  own  church  and  people.  If 
things  are  not  changed,  I  feel  satisfied  I  can  be  of  no  great  service  to 
the  Indian  department.  My  course  is  well  known  to  the  department; 
I  have  acted  from  circumstances  and  to  the  best  of  my  judgment, 
and  hope  that  my  conduct  has  been  justified  by  the  department.  If 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  161 

matters  are  not  changed  so  as  to  produce  a  better  feeling  in  the  Mor- 
mons, towards  the  government ;  or  if  the  authority  and  laws  of  the 
government  are  not  enforced,  if  it  should  be  the  wishes  of  the  depart- 
ment I  would  like  to  be  called  home,  as  my  duty  to  the  government 
compels  me  to  act  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give  offence,  frequently,  to 
the  Mormons,  who  seem  to  recognize  no  law  but  their  own  self-will. 
This  is  a  very  unpleasant  situation  and  one  that  can  be  productive  of 
not  much  service  either  to  the  government,  to  the  Indians,  or  to 
myself.  They  seem  desirous  to  hold  all  the  offices  themselves  ;  and 
when  a  Gentile  is  appointed,  he  is  never  treated  with  respect,  but  is 
abused,  let  him  do  as  he  will.  I  have,  and  do  yet,  disregard  their 
abuse,  but  feel  that  my  efficiency  as  a  government  officer,  is  impaired 
by  such  conduct. 

I  have  heretofore  suggested  to  the  department  vaiious  matters, 
having  taken  some  pains  to  acquire  information,  and  at  the  expense 
of  the  government,  and  having  formed  a  friendly  acquaintance  with 
the  Indians,  and  made  myself  acquainted  with  the  country,  if  my 
suggestions  should  meet  the  views  of  the  department,  I  will,  with 
pleasure,  give  them  such  attention  as  the  department  may  direct,  as 
I  do  not  feel  disposed  to  relinquish  a  duty  imposed  on  me,  however 
arduous  and  disagreeable  the  service  may  be,  particularly  having 
recommended  them. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 
Indian  Agent,  Utah  Territory. 

Hon.  LUKE  LEA, 

Commissioner  Indian  Affairs. 

P.  S. — I  have  written  in  a  great  hurry,  on  a  board  on  my  knee  ; 
you  will  therefore  excuse  the  scrawl. 

J.  H.  H. 


No.  15. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY, 

April  29,  1853. 

SIR  :  I  addressed,  you  a  hasty  note  on  the  5th  inst.  from  Webber, 
informing  you  of  my  situation  and  detention  in  the  mountains  by  the 
snow.  I  succeeded  in  crossing  the  mountain,  and,  arrived  here  on  the 
20th  inst.,  and  as  the  mail  will  leave  on  the  1st  of  next  month,  I  have 
thought  it  important  to  address  you  a  few  lines. 

I  think  it  probable  we  shall  have  something  of  a  difficulty  with  a 
band  of  the  Utah  tribe  of  Indians,  under  the  command  of  the  cele- 
brated chief  Walker,  who  it  seems  is  leagued  with  a  small  force  of1 
Spaniards  or  Mexicans,  some  of  whom  have  been  arrested,  and  are  ; 
now  in  custody  in  this  city,  under  the  charge  of  having  traded  arms 
and  ammunition  to  the  Indians.     The  motive  of  the  Indians  I  have  ! 
not  yet  been  able  to  learn.     I  was  informed  last  December,  while  at* 
Fort  Bridger,  that  some  threats  had  been  made  against  the  Mormons^ 
by  aifew  Spaniards  who  had  been  arrested  in  Salt  Lake  under  the1 
charge  of  purchasing  and  trading  for  Indian  children  in  the  Territory/ 

H.  Ex.  Doco  n 11 


162  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

to  be  taken  to  Mexico  as  slaves.  They  were  tried  and  convicted,  their 
property  taken  from  them,  and  the  Indian  children,  by  order  of  court, 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  whites  as  apprentices  for  a  term  of  years, 
according  to  their  respective  ages,  where  they  will  be  kindly  treated. 
It  seems  that  these  children  were  prisoners  taken  by  the  Utah  tribe 
of  Indians  from  other  tribes  with  whom  they  were  at  war.  They 
have  been  in  the  habit  of  capturing  or  stealing  these  children  for  many 
years,  and  carried  on  a  trade  with  the  Spaniards,  who  purchased  them 
for  slaves.  This  practice  it  was  thought  advisable  by  the  authorities 
to  put  a  stop  to  ;  consequently  the  arrest  and  the  release  of  the  chil- 
dren alluded  to.  Recently  the  same  kind  of  traffic  was  being  carried 
on,  with  the  addition,  that  arms  and  ammunition  was  liberally  dis- 
tributed among  the  Indians  by  the  Spaniards.  The  authorities  under- 
took to  arrest  this  trade,  when  they  were  met  by  Walker,  the  chief, 
andhis  band  of  Utah  Indians,  who  justified  and  defended  the  Spaniards, 
and  threatened  to  kill  every  white  man  if  they  again  interfered. 
There  being  only  about  eight  of  the  whites,  they  were  forced  to  sub- 
mit. The  governor,  however,  being  on  a  visit  in  the  neighborhood 
of  these  transactions,  very  promptly  called  out  the  militia,  and  ordered 
other  preparations  to  meet  the  emergency.  Considerable  excitement 
prevails  at  present  in  consequence  of  the  threats  of  these  Spaniards, 
and  the  unfriendly  appearance  of  the  Indians.  Their  conduct,  how- 
ever, may  have  been  exaggerated ;  if  so,  the  fear  is  that  the  militia 
may  go  further  than  the  conduct  and  acts  of  the  Indians  should  justify. 
I  hope,  however,  that  they  may  act  with  prudence,  and  not  provoke 
an  unnecessary  difficulty  with  the  Indians.  I  have  had  no  communi- 
cation or  advice  from  the  governor,  and  as  the  transactions  are  taking 
place  some  two  hundred  miles  from  this  city,  I  am  unable  to  give  any 
further  information  at  present.  The  governor  being  in  the  vicinity, 
on  what  they  call  an  "  exploring  expedition,"  he  will,  no  doubt,  adopt 
such  measures  as  may  be  in  his  power  to  prevent  any  serious  difficulty. 
What  the  result  will  be  I  am  unable  to  say.  These  Spaniards,  having 
expressed  a  determination  to  be  revenged  on  the  Mormons,  to  whom 
they  attribute  their  arrest,  may  cause  great  distress  and  trouble  in  the 
more  remote  settlements,  by  exciting  the  Indians  against  them.  Some 
of  them,  being  already  unfriendly  towards  the  Mormons,  for  alleged 
past  injuries,  are  the  more  easily  excited.  If,  hc/wever,  the  excite- 
ment should  not  extend  further  than  Walker's  band,  it  will  be  easily 
allayed  ;  but  should  it  extend  to  the  various  tribes  in  the  Territory, 
and  the  adjoining  country,  who  maybe  induced  to  engage  for  the  sake 
of  plunder,  it  is  difficult  to  predict  where  it  will  end,  or  what  will  be 
the  result.  Should  there  be  a  general  outbreak,  it  will  be  caused  by 
the  whites  pushing  their  settlements  over  the  Indian  country  against 
their  wishes  or  consent.  The  Indians  have  complained  much  on  this 
subject. 

This  is  another  evidence,  among  many  others,  which  I  have  pre- 
sented to  the  department,  of  the  importance  of  holding  a  treaty  with 
the  Indians  in  this  Territory.  It  is  very  necessary,  in  order  to  peace 
and  quiet,  that  the  Indians,  as  well  as  the  whites,  should  know  their 
respective  rights  and  privileges.  This  cannot  be  done  satisfactorily 
without  some  treaty  stipulations. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  163 

The  Indians  are  becoming  more  and  more  excited  as  the  Mormons 
extend  their  settlements.  Some  of  them  complain  that  they  have 
been  forced  to  give  up  their  grounds  so  frequently  that  they  will  sub- 
mit no  longer.  I  do  not  allude  to  the  Mormons  for  the  purpose  of 
exciting  a  prejudice  against  them,  or  to  charge  them  with  improper 
conduct,  it  is  merely  because  no  other  whites  are  settling  the  country, 
and  the  Indians,  in  speaking  of  these  settlements,  allude  to  the  Mor- 
mons and  their  conduct  in  relation  to  the  settlement  and  occupation 
of  the  region  of  country  about  Salt  Lake,  in  which  they  complain  of 
great  injustice  and  cruelty  at  the  hands  of  the  Mormons. 

This  "  exploring  party,"  with  the  governor  at  its  head,  may  have 
hastened  these  unfriendly  demonstrations  on  the  part  of  the  Indians, 
as  I  understand  their  object  to  be  to  search  out  rich  valleys  and  promi- 
nent points  for  extending  their  settlements.  Considering  it  import- 
ant that  the  department  should  be  in  possession  of  these  matters,  I 
deem  it  my  duty  to  make  this  communication. 

I  informed  you,  in  my  note  of  the  5th  instant,  it  was  not  in  my 
power  to  make  my  quarterly  reports  ior  December  and  March,  in  con- 
sequence of  my  situation  in  the  mountains  ;  nothing,  however,  of  im- 
portance has  occurred  of  which  I  have  not  advised  you. 

The  superintendent  being  absent,  I  shall  have  to  defer  my  report 
until  June,  when  I  hope  to  be  able  to  make  a  satisfactory  one.  In 
the  meantime,  should  anything  occur  of  importance  I  will  inform  you. 

The  mail  from  the  States,  the  first  since  October  last,  is  expecr.ed 
by  the  10th  of  May,  by  which  I  hope  to  receive  some  instructions 
from  the  department,  and  shall  be  prepared  to  obey  them  promptly. 
Should  I  receive  none,  and  I  should  find  it  necessary,  I  shall  again 
visit  the  Indians  on  the  Humboldt  and  Carson  rivers.  They  have  been 
peaceable  and  friendly  since  my  last  year's  visit,  and  express  much 
anxiety  that  I  should  visit  them  again.  Although  a  very  trouble- 
some and  disagreeable  trip,  yet  so  much  good  may  be  effected  by  a 
visit  to  these  Indians  that  it  should  not  be  neglected.  I  hope  that  the 
disturbances  with  the  Indians  in  this  neighborhood  may  not  prevent 
it,  should  I  find  it  to  be  necessary. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 
Indian  Agent,  Utah  Territory. 

Hon.  L.  LEA, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 


No  16. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  U.  T., 

May  12,  1857, 

SIR:  Enclosed  you  will  find  the  application  bond  and  license  of 
E.  L.  Barnard,  as  Indian  trader  on  the  Truckie,  Walker's,  and  Carson 
rivers  in  this  territory. 


164  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

Mr.  Barnard  is  a  gentleman  of  correct  business  habits,  and  resides 
in  Carson  valley,  about  thirty  miles  from  the  base  of  the  mountain,  on 
the  main  travelled  road  to  California,  and  about  20  miles  from  the 
canon3  at  which  point  there  was  last  year  some  difficulties  with  the 
Washoes,  who  are  a  tribe  of  mountain  Indians  who  roam  though  this 
section  of  the  Territory,  but  principally  in  the  mountains  which  divide 
this  Territory  from  California.  It  is  a  point  at  which  much  may  be 
done  towards  conciliating  these  Indians.  As  these  Indians  are  of  a 
roving  disposition,  have  no  fixed  place  of  residence,  but  travel  from 
one  of  these  rivers  to  the  other,  I  could  not  fix  a  point  on  either  river. 
I  gave,  as  you  will  see  in  the  license,  permission  to  trade  on  the  rivers 
at  any  point  at  which  the  Indians  may  be  assembled.  I  think  it  im- 
portant that  a  friendly  intercourse  and  association  should  be  established 
with  the  Indians  in  this  section.  They  have  heretofore  received  much 
bad  treatment  from  the  whites  in  California,  as  well  as  emigrants  and 
travellers  on  the  road. 

In  a  previous  communication  I  asked  information  in  relation  to 
licences  to  traders  :  whether  it  was  my  duty,  or  my  privilege  to  charge 
for -them,  and  how  I  shall  regulate  my  charges.  I  see  in  the  com- 
munication of  the  agent  for  California,  that  charges  are  made  when  at 
points  remote  from  the  city  ;  I  have  charged  as  a  fee  for  issuing  licences, 
a  sum  less  in  amount  than  would  be  necessary  to  pay  the  expenses  of 
the  individual  to  this  city  ;  in  some  cases  where  the  individual  was  a 
man  beloved  by  the  Indians,  and  who  would  use  his  influence  to  pro- 
mote the  friendship  and  good  feeling  of  the  Indians  towards  the  gov- 
ernment, I  have  made  no  charges  ;  those  whose  object  was  the  profits 
of  the  trade  I  have  charged.  Those  who  have  applied  to  me  in  my 
office  I  have  charged  nothing.  I  have  also  charged  a  small  fee  for 
passports  ;  these  duties  are  frequently  attended  with  some  trouble  ;  in 
fact,  I  have  visited  the  different  sections  for  the  purpose  of  giving  these 
licenses  and  passports  at  my  own  individual  expense  ;  the  individuals 
have  always  expressed  a  willingness  to  pay  me  for  that  trouble,  as  it 
saved  them  time  and  expense  ;  I  have  forced  none  to  pay  ;  they  have 
however,  pledged  me  that  in  case  there  should  be  an  additional  amount 
required  by  the  department  they  would  pay  it.  Upon  this  subject  I 
would  like  to  be  advised. 

My  course,  as  agent,  does  not  suit  the  superintendent  or  the  Mor- 
mons. They  will,  as  I  am  informed,  make  some  charges  against  me. 
If  they  should,  I  ask  to  be  heard.  Their  excitement  against  me  is 
occasioned  more  from  the  fact  that  I  would  not  suffer  them  to  drive  me 
from  the  Territory,  as  they  have  done  the  other  government  officers, 
than  from  misconduct  in  the  discharge  of  my  official  duties.  The 
department,  however,  is  acquainted  with  all  my  acts,  and  I  hope  they 
will  view  them  differently  from  the  Mormons.  I  have  acted  in  all 
matters  relating  to  my  office  from  the  best  of  my  judgment,  desiring 
to  promote  the  interest  of  the  government  and  the  Indians  in  all  cases  ; 
while  those  who  oppose  me  are  for  themselves,  leaving  the  government 
and  the  Indians  to  shift  for  themselves  as  they  can.  How  I  should  like 
to  see  the  reins  of  the  general  government  pulled  tight  over  Utah,  and 
an  obedience  and  respect  for  the  laws  of  the  United  States  strictly 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  165 

observed  by  tbose  self-willed  "  saints  !"     Sooner  or  later,  depend  upon 
it,  it  will  have  to  be  done. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  H.  HOLEMAN, 
Indian  Agent,  Utah  territory. 
Hon.  L.  LEA, 

Commissioner  Indian  Affairs. 


No.  17. 
Report. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 
Office  Indian  Affairs,  April  10,  1854. 

SIR:  In  view  of  the  probability  that  Congress,  at  its  present  session, 
will  make  provision,  by  appropriation,  for  the  negotiation  of  treaties 
with  the  Indian  tribes  in  the  Territory  of  Utah,  and  also  of  the  3d 
section  of  the  act  of  Congress,  approved  February  27,  1851,  entitled 
"An  act  making  appropriations  for  the  current  and  contingent  expenses 
of  the  Indian  department,"  which  requires  all  treaties  with  Indian 
tribes  to  be  negotiated  by  such  officers  and  agents  of  the  Indian  depart- 
ment as  the  President  of  the  United  States  may  designate,  I  have  the 
honor  to  suggest  that  you  recommend  immediately  to  Congress  that 
provision  be  made  by  law  for  the  appointment  of  a  superintendent  of 
Indian  affairs  in  the  Territory  of  Utah,  and  that  so  much  oi  the  2d 
section  of  the  act  of  Congress  (U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large,  vol.  9,  page 
453)  entitled  "An  act  to  establish  a  territorial  government  for  Utah," 
approved  September  9,  1850,  as  requires  the  governor  of  that  Territory 
to  perform  the  duties,  and  authorizes  him  to  receive  the  emoluments 
of  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs  therein,  be  repealed. 

It  is  a  public  and  well  known  fact  that  his  excellency  Brigham 
Young,  the  present  governor,  is  also  the  head  of  the  church  of  Latter 
Day  Saints,  and  I  am  informed  that  the  duties  of  his  spiritual  office 
require  a  large  portion  of  his  time  and  attention. 

I  should  not.  therefore,  deem  it  good  policy  to  superadd  to  the  du- 
ties and  responsibilities  of  his  official  positions  as  governor  and  head 
of  the  church  the  additional  duty — one  requiring  time  and  delibera- 
tion, and  tp  be  performed  most  properly  at  points  distant  from  the 
the  seat  of  the  government  of  the  Territory,  and  of  the  spiritual  hi- 
earchy — of  visiting  and  negotiating  treaties  with  the  various  Indian 
tribes  within  the  limits  of  the  Territory. 

As  a  precedent  directly  in  point,  I  would  respectfully  refer  to  the 
legislation  of  Congress  respecting  the  superintendency  of  Oregon. 

By  the  2d  section  of  the  act  entitled  "  An  act  to  establish  the  terri- 
torial government  of  Oregon/'  approved  August  14,  1848,  (U.  S. 
Statutes  axt  Large,  vol.  9,  page  324,)  the  governor  of  that  Territory 
was  made  ex-officio  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs. 

When,  however,  provision  was  made  by  Congress  for  the  negotia- 


166  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

tion  of  treaties  with  the  Indian  trihesin  the  Territory  of  Oregon,  &c., 
by  the  act  of  June  5, 1850,  (U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large,  vol.  9,  page  437,) 
so  much  of  the  act  to  "  establish  the  territorial  government,"  &c., 
above  referred  to,  as  required  the  governor  to  perform  the  duties,  and 
authorized  him  to  receive  the  emoluments  of  superintendent  of  Indian 
affairs,  was  repealed,  and  the  President  was  authorized  (sec  2,  act 
June  5,  1850,)  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  to 
appoint  a  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs  for  the  Territory. 

I  would  here  also  remark  that  by  the  second  section  of  the  act  of 
27th  of  February,  1851,  herein  before  referred  to,  it  was  provided 
"  that,  from  and  after  the  30th  day  of  June  next,  all  laws  or  parts  of 
laws  now  in  force,  providing  for  the  appointment  or  employment  of 
superintendents  of  Indian  affairs  for  any  of  the  Indian  tribes  east  of 
the  Rocky  mountains,  and  north  of  New  Mexico  and  Texas,  shall  be 
and  the  same  are  hereby  repealed,"  &c. ,  provided  (among  other  things) 
"  that  the  governor  of  Minnesota  shall  continue  to  be  ex-officio  super- 
intendent of  Indian  affairs  for  that  Territory  until  the  President  shall 
otherwise  direct." — (Statutes  at  Large,  L.  &  B.,  vol.  9,  page  586.) 

The  legislative  department  of  the  United  States  government  has 
thus  indicated  its  opinion  that  a  period  may  arrive,  or  circumstances 
occur  in  the  course  of  events,  when  it  becomes,  or  may  become, 
good  policy  to  separate  the  office  of  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs 
from  that  of  governor  of  a  territory. 

In  my  opinion,  the  present  is  a  most  proper  juncture  at  which  thus 
to  separate  the  superintendency  of  Indian  affairs  in  the  Territory  of 
Utah  from  the  governorship  of  that  Territory. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  W.  MANYPBNNY, 

Commissioner. 

Hon.  R.  MCCLELLAND, 

Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


No.  18. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 
Office  Indian  Affairs,  September  15,  1854. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  herein  to  enclose  copies  of  communications 
from  Lieutenant  Fleming,  commanding  at  Fort  Laramie,  and  John 
M.  Hockaday,  esq.,  in  which  it  is  stated  that  the  legislature  of  Utah 
has  assumed  jurisdiction  over  portions  of  the  Territory  to  which  the 
Indian  title  has  never  been  extinguished,  and  that  by  granting  ferry 
charters  and  other  privileges  to  certain  citizens,  much  dissatisfaction 
exists  among  the  Indians;  and  that  blood  has  been  shed,  and  much 
disturbance  created ;  and  the  question  is  asked,  whether  the  legislature 
has  the  power  to  grant  such  charters,  and  to  exercise  rights,  whether 
in  counties  organized  by  it  or  not,  over  lands  to  which  the  title  of 
the  Indians  has  not  been  extinguished  by  treaty. 

Upon  perusal  of  the  act  of  Congress,  approved  the  9th  of  September, 
1850,  (see  Statutes  at  Large,  vol.  IX,  p.  453  to  458,)  establishing  this 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  167 

Territory,  I  find  no  provisions  giving  to  its  legislature  more  authority 
over  unceded  lands  than  is  given  to  other  Territories  by  the  acts  for 
their  establishment ;  hut  under  the  circumstances,  and  the  peculiar 
organization  of  its  population,  I  deemed  it  advisable  to  lay  the  subject 
before  you  for  your  consideration  and  advice,  before  replying  to  the 
communications. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

CHARLES  E.  MIX, 

Acting  Commissioner. 
Hon.  R.  MCCLELLAND, 

Secretary  of  tJie  Interior. 


No.  19. 

FORT  LAEAMIE,  NEBRASKA, 

August  15,  1854. 

SIR  :  A  copy  of  a  letter  has  been  sent  me,  requesting  me  to  forward 
the  same  to  you  for  your  decision  thereon.  There  has  been  a  great 
deal  of  trouble  between  the  mountain  men  and  the  Mormons  for  some 
time  past,  which  has  resulted  in  the  death  of  several  persons  on  both 
sides.  The  mountain  men  have  wives  and  children  among  the  Snake 
Indians,  and  therefore  claim  the  right  to  the  Grreen  river  country,  in 
virtue  of  the  grant  given  them  by  the  Indians,  to  whom  the  country 
belongs,  as  no  treaty  has  yet  been  made  to  extinguish  their  title. 
The  Mormons,  on  the  other  hand,  claim  jurisdiction  over  the  country, 
paramount  to  all  Indian  titles,  in  virtue  of  its  being  in  Utah  Territory. 
Now,  the  question  in  issue,  appears  to  me  this :  Since  the  country 
lies  in  the  Territory  of  Utah,  have  the  Mormons,  or  have  they  not,  the 
right  to  dispose  of  the  country  to  settlers,  to  dispose  of  its  resources, 
revenues  ;  and  finally,,  everything  in  the  country,  or  exercise  judicial 
power  over  the  revenues,  before  the  actual  Indian  title  has  been  ex- 
tinguished. 

These  questions  have  been,  and  are  now  agitated  among  the  people 
of  the  new  Territories,  have  caused  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  and  will 
cause  more,  unless  permanently  settled  by  proper  authority.  Since 
the  large  emigration  to  Oregon  and  California,  the  ferries,  bridges, 
&c.,  have  been  very  profitable  investments. 

Your  decision  in  this  case  I  consider  of  great  importance,  as  it  is 
time  such  things  were  settled,  and  unnecessary  bloodshed  saved  by 
placing  the  right  where  it  properly  belongs.  Both  parties  contend 
for  the  right,  and  I  might  add,  I  think,  both  equally  honest  in  their 
convictions. 

Enclosed,  I  forward  the  letter  for  your  decision. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  B.  FLEMING, 
Second  Lieut.  6th  Inf.  Comd'g  Fort  Laramie. 

Hon.  MR.  MANYPENNY, 

Com.  of  Indian  Affairs,  Washington,  D.  C. 


168  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 


No.  20. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY, 
Territory  of  Utah,  June  17,  1854. 

SIR:  Whereas  the  boundaries  of  Green  River  county,  in  the  Terri- 
tory of  Utah,  were  defined  and  attached  to  Great  Salt  Lake  county, 
for  "election,  revenue,  and  judicial  purposes/'  by  a  special  act  of  the 
legislature  of  said  Territory,  approved  March  3,  1852,  and  was  de- 
tached from  said  Great  Salt  Lake  county,  by  another  act  of  said  legis- 
lature, approved  January  13,  1854,  and  is  now  organized  with  its 
judiciary  and  officers,  and  lies  in  the  first  judicial  district  of  the  United 
States  courts  for  said  Territory  ;  and  whereas  an  act  was  passed  by 
said  legislature,  approved  January  17,  1853,  granting  a  charter  unto 
Daniel  H.  Wells,  esq.,  the  right  to  erect  ferries  for  the  conveyance  of 
stock,  wagons,  passengers,  &c.,  over  Green  river,  in  said  county  of 
Green  River,  in  said  Territory,  on  the  lands  claimed  by  the  tribe  of 
Shoshonee  Indians,  and  which  said  charter  or  right  of  erecting  ferries 
has  been  transferred  by  said  Wells  to  others,  and  at  present  Captain 
W.  J.  Hanley,  James  H.  Jones  and  John  Kerr,  (of  the  firm  of  Jones 
&  Kerr,)  Francis  M.  Russell,  and  John  M.  Russell,  are  proprietors 
of  said  ferries,  (the  said  charter  expiring  on  the  15th  day  of  May,  A. 
D.  1856;)  and 

Whereas  the  Shoshones  are  displeased  with  the  said  granting  of  such 
charter,  and  being  in  possession  of  white  men  not  married  into  their 
nation  or  tribe,  and  claim  the  right  and  jurisdiction  of  granting  or 
giving  the  land,  timber,  river,  and  the  right  of  erecting  ferries,  to 
whom  they  please,  claiming  all  as  belonging  to  them,  on  their  lands 
in  said  Green  River  county  ;  and  that  they  have  given  the  said  river 
and  the  right  of  erecting  ferries  on  the  same  to  the  white  men  that 
have  married  squaws  of  their  tribe,  and  have  children  among  them  ; 
and  which  said  ferries,  or  the  right  thereof,  said  white  men  claim,  con- 
tending that  there  has  been  no  treaty  made  with  the  Indians,  and  that 
the  land,  timber,  river,  &c.,  legally  belong  to  them,  until  purchased 
of  them  by  treaty  with  the  United  States  government,,  and  that  the 
legislature  of  the  Territory  of  Utah  have  no  right  or  authority  to  grant 
such  charter  on  Indian  lands  ;  but  are  willing  to  submit  the  same  to 
the  decision  of  the  legal  and  constituted  authority  at  Washington  city : 

Now,  in  order  to  allay  all  excitement  or  ill  feeling  that  may  exist 
iu  the  breasts  of  said  Indians  or  white  men  at  the  present  time,  in 
regard  to  said  ferries,  and  to  conduce  to  peace  now  and  hereafter,  we 
send  this  letter  of  inquiry  to  you,  that  we  may  have  your  honorable 
opinion  or  decision  of  the  same  :  Whether  or  not  the  said  legislature 
of  Utah  have  the  grant  charters  for  ferries  on  Green  river,  or  any 
other  river  or  water  in  said  Territory,  whether  in  organized  counties 
or  not,  where  said  river  and  lands  are  claimed  by  the  Indians  ?  If 
said  legislature  have  not,  we  wish  to  be  informed,  and  have  the  matter 
in  dispute  settled  at  the  proper  department,  and  an  answer  returned  at 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  169 

as  early  a  day  as  possible  ;  and  to  which  decision  all  concerned  will 
cheerfully  submit. 

With  sentiments  of  respect,  I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  obedient 
servant, 

J.  M.  HOCKADAY, 

Selected  by  the  parlies  to  address  you  this  letter  of  inquiry. 
Hon.  Mr.  MANYPENNY, 

Chief  of  the  Bureau  Department  of  Indian  Affairs, 

Washington  city,  D.  C. 

N.  B. — Please  direct  your  answer  to  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort 
Laramie. 

No.  201. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 
Office  of  Indian  Affairs,  March  21_,  1855. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that,  on  the  8th  of  August 
last,  I  addressed  a  communication  to  Governor  Young,  of  the  Territory 
of  Utah,  informing  him  that  Congress  had,  on  the  31st  of  July,  1854, 
appropriated  the  sum  of  "  Forty-five  thousand  dollars  for  the  expenses 
of  negotiating  treaties  with,  and  making  presents  of  goods  and  pro- 
visions to  the  Indian  tribes  in  the  Territory  of  Utah."  I  stated  to 
him  that  I  deemed  the  sum  ample  to  make  treaties  with  all  the  tribes 
of  the  Territory,  and  hoped  it  would  lay  the  foundation  for  pacific 
and  satisfactory  relations  there.  I  requested  him  to  inform  me,  on  the 
receipt  of  my  communication,  of  the  nature,  kind  and  quantities  of  goods 
and  presents  that  would  be  necessary  for  the  purpose,  not  forgetting 
that  the  expenses  of  transportation  of  food  at  the  councils,  and  inci- 
dental expenses  of  making  the  treaties  would  have  to  be  deducted 
from  said  appropriation,  which  must  in  no  event  be  exceeded.  I  also- 
desired  his  opinion  with  regard  to  sending  some  implements  of  hus- 
bandry in  place  of  the  usual  presents,  and  requested  him  to  send  me 
a  skeleton  map  of  the  Territory,  showing  the  tract  of  country  occupied 
or  claimed  by  each  tribe,  the  nature  of  the  tenure,  and  the  extent 
of  each  tract  in  square  miles  or  acres  ;  and  that  he  would  report 
all  matters  of  information  which  might,  in  his  opinion,  be  useful  to 
enable  the  department  to  furnish  instructions  as  the  basis  of  the  con- 
templated treaties. 

I  urged  upon  him  immediate  attention  to  this  matter,  so  that  prepa- 
rations might  be  made  to  send,  at  an  early  day  in  the  spring,  such 
articles  as  it  would  be  necessary  to  procure  in  the  States. 

On  the  30th  of  September,  he  replied  to  this  communication  that  he 
would  send  the  information  desired  by  the  next  mail  ;  no  such  infor- 
mation, however  has  been  received. 

I,  therefore,  submit  for  your  consideration  and  advice  what  course 
shall  be  taken  in  the  premises,  in  view  of  the  change  it  is  understood 
has  taken  place  in  the  executive  of  that  Territory. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  W.  MANYPENNY, 

Commissioner. 

Hon.  B.    McCLELLAND^ 

Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


No.  20f. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 

March  22,  1855. 

SIR  :  I  have  received  your  letter  of  yesterday,  informing  the  depart- 
ment of  the  nature  of  the  instructions  which  you  have  forwarded  to 
Governor  Young,  of  Utah,  under  date  of  August  8,  1854,  preparatory 
to  negotiating  with  the  Indian  trihes  therein,  as  provided  for  in  the 
act  of  31st  July  last ;  that  Governor  Young  had  replied  on  the  30th 
of  September  last,  that  he  would  forward  the  information  by  the  next 
mail,  but  that  it  had  not  been  received  at  your  office,  and  asking 
advice  as  to  "  what  course  shall  be  taken  in  the  premises,  in  view  of 
the  change  which,  it  is  understood,  has  taken  place  in  the  executive 
of  that  Territory/'  and  in  reply  have  to  say,  that  1  do  not  see  that 
you  can  do  better  than  to  repeat  your  instructions  I©  the  newly 
appointed  governor. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

K.  MCCLELLAND, 

Secretary. 
Hon.  GEO.  W.  MANYPENNY. 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 


No.  21. 

OFFICE  SUPERINTENDENT,  U.  T., 
Great  Salt  Lake  City,  June  26,   1855. 

SIR  :  In  reflecting  upon  the  situation  of  the  Indian  affairs  in  this 
Territory,  and  the  manner  in  which  I  have  been  treated  by  the  de- 
partment as  regards  the  expenditures  of  this  superintendency,  I  feel 
•constrained  to  lay  before  you  a  short  synopsis  of  its  history,  that  your 
mind  may  be  refreshed  and  enabled  to  perceive  things  in  their  true 
light. 

From  the  very  beginning  I  sought  instructions  from  the  depart- 
ment in  relation  to  the  policy  wished  to  be  adopted  and  carried  out 
by  the  government  towards  and  with  the  Indians  of  this  Territory. 
It  was  one  year  after  I  commenced  the  discharge  of  my  official  duties 
before  I  obtained  even  an  office  copy  of  the  laws,  regulations,  and  in- 
tercourse with  the  Indians,  and  forms  were  frequently  solicited  ; 
finally,  after  much  solicitation  I  received  a  letter  from  Commissioner 
Lea,  from  which  I  make  the  following  extract : 

"  The  remoteness  of  Utah  from  Washington,  and  the  little  that  is 
known  here  of  the  Indians  in  that  Territory,  render  it  necessary  that 
the  management  of  our  Indian  affairs  in  that  quarter  be  left  almost 
entirely  to  your  discretion  and  judgment." 

This  letter  is  dated  February  20,  1852,,  and  I  will  say,  was  the  most 
definite  of  any  thing  that  I  have  ever  received  from  the  department 
upon  that  subject.  As  to  forms  and  Hanks  for  my  accounts,  there 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  171 

has  never  been  any  furnished  to  the  office  of  superintendent.  Agent 
Holeman  and  some  of  the  other  agents  and  sub-agents  have  had 
them  furnished,  but  none  has  ever  been  allowed  to  me.  I  merely 
mention  these  facts,  that  while  the  department  actually  placed  the 
whole  responsibility  of  dealing  and  managing  with  the  Indians  upon 
me,  they  did  not  furnish  me  with  either  the  necessary  instructions  or 
the  usual  facilities  of  other  Territories  to  perform  this  duty,  and  have  ac- 
tually refused  to  pay  a  clerk  to  assist  me.  Here,  also,  permit  me  to 
remark  that  the  Territory  had  no  agent,  and  but  one  sub-agent  for 
the  first  two  years.  The  agent  did  not  come  until  late  in  the  fall  of 
1852,  and  he  left,  being  relieved  from  his  office  by  the  appointment 
of  his  successor,  Agent  E.  A.  Bedell,  in  the  fall  of  1853.  Major  Be- 
dell left  early  the  ensuing  spring,  intending  to  return  the  same  fall 
with  his  family,  but  died  on  his  outward  trip 

In  the  winter  of  1854  Doctor  Garland  Hurt,  the  present  incumbent, 
arrived,  and  has  since  been  in  the  active  discharge  of  his  duties.  You 
will  thus  perceive,  that  during  the  nearly  five  years  of  our  organiza- 
tion, there  has  been  but  one  agent  at  the  scene  of  his  duties  only  about 
one-half  of  the  time,  and  only  one  sub-agent  at  any  time,  as  Mr.  Day 
returned  the  same  season  that  he  came,  and  the  office  he  held  abol- 
ished. By  this  statement  y  m  will  also  perceive  that  1  have  person- 
ally been  obliged  to  travel  and  attend  to  the  business  pertaining  to 
this  snperintendency,  which  would  naturally  have  devolved  upon  the 
agent  and  sub-agents,  and  actually  to  perform  the  duties,  not  only 
of  my  office,  but  during  their  absence,  those  usually  assigned  to  them. 

From  this  statement,  it  should  not  appear  strange,  that  my  accounts 
should  be  somewhat  larger  than  they  otherwise  would  have  been,  nor 
that  they  should  always  have  been  made  out  in  the  proper  form,  nor 
expenditures  made  in  accordance  with  regulations. 

Upon  these  points  I  supposed  that  I  had  the  confidence  of  the  gov- 
ernment, having  complied  with  all  the  requirements  that  I  knew  of, 
and  have  been  as  economical  as  possible  in  my  expenditures.  I  con- 
sidered myself  sustained  in  this  opinion  by  a  letter  received  from  the 
department,  dated  November  15,  1853,  from  which  I  make  the  fol- 
lowing extract : 

"  I  am  not  aware  of  any  delinquency  on  your  part  in  not  observing 
all  the  regulations  of  the  department."  I  was  also  informed  in  this 
letter  that  my  accounts  up  to  the  30th  of  September,  inclusive,  had 
been  received  ;  that  my  draft  would  be  paid  upon  presentation,  and  that 
the  accounts  would  be  examined,  and  the  proper  parties  informed  of 
the  result ;  this  letter  is  signed  by  Geo.  W.  Manypenny,  the  present 
incumbent.  It  is  needless  to  say,  that  I  had  faithfully  complied  in 
making  out  those  accounts  with  the  instructions  I  had  previously  re- 
ceived from  Commissioner  Manypenny,  as  set  forth  in  circular,  dated 
June  6,  1853,  which  reads  as  follows  :  "  All  disbursements  for  travel- 
ling expenses,  therefore,  that  may  hereafter  be  made  by  agents,  or 
other  officers  of  this  department,  must  be  accounted  for  by  the  produc- 
tion of  the  receipt  of  the  payee,  with  the  usual  certificate  of  the  officer 
making  such  payment,  accompanied  by  an  explanation  showing  on 
what  account,  and  why  such  expense  is  incurred.  But  in  cases  where 
it  is  impracticable  for  the  said  disbursing  officer  to  obtain  such  re- 


172  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

ceipts  from  the  payee,  a  memorandum  should  he  made  of  such  expen- 
diture, however  small  or  irregular,  and  a  return  made  thereof,  without 
the  process  of  aggregating  or  commuting,  and  the  certificate,  on  honor, 
of  its  payment,  by  such  officer  accompanied  hy  such  explanation  as 
the  propriety  and  reasonableness  of  the  expenditure  as  would  cover 
the  case,  should  he  attached  to  said  return." 

We  are  also  informed  of  the  good  intentions  of  the  department 
in  the  closing  article  of  the  same  circular,  as  follows : 

Cl  The  department  will  endeavor  to  mete  out  a  determined  and  even- 
handed  justice  in  this  matter,  and  allow  no  mere  charge  for  expense 
of  travelling,  unless  it  shall  appear  to  have  "been  necessarily  incurred 
in  the  proper  discharge  of  the  duties  devolved  upon  its  officers." 

My  accounts,  as  before  stated,  were  made  out  and  certified  in  this 
manner,  as  it  also  corresponded  with  the  regulations  as  I  understood 
them.  I  am  aware  this  circular  was  designed  to  dispense  with  the 
system  of  commutation  by  mileage  for  travelling  expenses,  which  had, 
it  appears,  been  practiced  by  many  of  the  agents  to  the  detriment  of 
the  public  interest.  As  I  had  never  charged  for  travelling  expenses 
by  mileage,  or  otherwise,  I  did  not  consider  that  this  circular  applied 
particularly  to  me  ;  but  I  seized  upon  it,  in  the  absence  of  any  other 
instructions  upon  this  subject,  as  containing  some  valuable  hints 
which  might  be  applied  to  the  making  out  and  settlement  of  my 
accounts. 

Now,  it  is  possible  that  you  may  think,  what  has  all  this  to  do 
with  you?  I  answer,  simply  this  :  that  for  the  last  two  years,  I  have 
experienced  the  greatest  difficulty  in  getting  my  accounts  adjusted  at 
the  department,  and  when  they  have  finally  been  so  adjusted,  that  it 
has  been  done  by  suspending  and  disallowing  a  great  portion  thereof, 
as  I  consider,  upon  the  most  flimsy  pretexts.  It  should  always  be 
remembered  that  never  a  dollar  has  been  advanced  to  this  Territory 
for  the  use  of  the  Indian  department.  The  superintendent  and  agents 
have  been  obliged,  generally,  and  in  most  instances,  to  assume  per- 
sonally, and,  unfortunately  for  them,  pay  any  expense  which  they 
have  so  contracted.  This  applies  more  particularly  to  the  superin- 
tendent, who  has  heretofore  actually  performed  much  the  largest 
share  of  the  business. 

I  will  give  one  instance :  Accounts,  says  the  Commissioner,  of 
issues  to  the  Indians,  must  be  certified  to  by  an  interpreter,  or  person 
being  present  at  said  issue  ;  and  again,  no  property  return,  although 
it  is  well  known  that  no  such  law  or  regulation  exists  requiring 
the  certificate  of  an  interpreter,  nor  has  the  government  ever 
advanced  any  funds  for  the  purchase  of  property.  I  have  only  pur- 
chased property  or  articles  for  presents  to  Indians  when  it  was  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  to  do  so  ;  the  vouchers  exhibit  plainly  and  uni- 
formly from  whom  purchased,  and  to  whom  issued  ;  the  purchases 
have  always  been  made  upon  my  own  responsibility,  as  I  could  not 
obtaim  them  upon  any  draft  which  I  could  draw  upon  the  department; 
when  I  did  venture  to  do  so  they  were  protested,  and  I  had  them  to 
pay  here,  until  I  made  an  arrangement  through  our  delegate,  as  agent 
to  draw  the  money  when  it  could  be  obtained,  and  make  my  drafts 
upon  him,  which  he  generally  had  to  let  go  to  protest,  or  pay  them 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  173 

out  of  other  funds.  I  finally  found  it  of  no  use,  but  to  send  my  drafts 
to  him,  and  not  attempt  to  act  upon  them,  or  upon  any  dependence  ol 
receiving  anything  from  the  department.  To  you  this  is  not  strange, 
because  you  know  that  I  have  only  received  for  the  last  two  years  five 
thousand  dollars,  and  you  have  disallowed  and  suspended  accounts 
running  back  into  the  time  of  your  predecessor,  which  had,  as  I  sup- 
posed been  satisfactory,  and  were  paid  by  him.  i3y  this  means  you 
have  brought  me  in  debt  to  the  department. 

I  observe  by  forms  which  have  been  furnished  by  the  department, 
and  deposited  in  my  office  by  the  agent,  that  the  form  of  certificate  is 
made  out  on  honor  by  the  person  disbursing  either  presents  or  pay- 
ment of  accounts,  and  there  is  no  provision  for  the  certificate  of  an 
interpreter.  I  wish  however,  for  the  department  to  understand  that 
I  do  not  object  to  furnishing  such  certificate,  nor  indeed  any  other 
which  may  be  required,  but  I  do  object  to  leaving  my  accounts  dis- 
allowed and  suspended  from  year  to  year,  when  your  requirements 
have  always  been  strictly  complied  with.  All  that  has  been  necessary 
at  any  time  to  have  them  so  furnished  was  to  let  me  know  what  was 
wanted  ;  of  this  you  have  been  assured  time  and  again,  and  do  know 
that  your  requirements  have  universally  been  complied  with. 

If  hereafter  you  should  wish  for  different,  or  more  extensive  evi- 
dence, and  you  should  so  instruct,  and  will  let  those  instructions  apply 
to  the  future  instead  of  the  past,  a  great  deal  of  trouble  might  be 
avoided. 

In  regard  to  service,  I  have  travelled  from  800  to  1,000  miles  every 
year  during  rny  administration,  among  the  Indians,  and  have  never 
failed  in  exercising  a  very  favorable  influence  upon  them.  Many  are 
now  employed  in  raising  grain  ;  many  more  are  intending  to  turn 
their  attention  to  that  branch  of  industry.  Many  of  their  children 
are  living  with  the  inhabitants  oi:  the  Territory  ;  clothed,  fed,  and 
schooled  the  same  as  their  own  children  ;  and  although  such  matters 
are  slow  in  coming  around,  yet  I  can  truly  say  that  a  very  favor- 
able impression  has  been  made. 

One  word  more  in  relation  to  the  evidence  of  issue  to  the  Indians. 
The  requirement  of  having  them  certified  by  an  interpreter,  although 
without  law,  regulation,  or  instructions,  until  "  disallowances  and 
suspensions  for  want  of  evidence  of  issue  came  to  hand,  was  neverthe- 
less immediately  complied  with,  and  again  forwarded.  With  this  com- 
pliance I  fondly  hoped  there  would  be  no  further  difficulty  in  allowing 
my  accounts,  and  that  all  would  have  gone  off  satisfactorily.  Vain 
hope !  Was  again  advised  of  the  inadmissibility  of  the  testimony,  and 
want  of  evidence  of  issue  to  Indians  ;  it  now  flashed  upon  my  mind, 
that  the  ' '  to  mete  out  a  determined  and  even-Jianded  justice  by  the  de- 
partment" consisted  in  keeping  the  money  and  making  me  pay  their 
honest  debts.  I  say  "  it  flashed  upon  my  mind/'  I  will  add,  it  was 
practically  demonstrated  by  my  having  to  pay  the  money. 

Why  was  this  ?  I  am  dependent  upon  oral  testimony  for  what  I 
now  state,  though  it  is  from  high  and  unquestionable  authority.  One 
of  the  interpreters,  who  had  always  been  present  with  me,  and  who 
signed  those  certificates  of  issue,  happened  to  be  Mr.  D.  B.  Hunt* 


174  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

ington.  "  Who  is  he?"  inquired  the  penetrating  Commissioner, 
while  seeking  for  some  other  excuse  for  not  paying  the  accounts. 

"  Why,"  says  Mr.  ,  "  he  is  a  brother-in-law  to  Governor 

Young."  "  Indeed  !  indeed!  !"  exclaims  the  sapient  Commissioner  ; 
"  that  is  sufficient.  He  is  not  to  be  credited  for  a  moment."  Ac- 
cordingly, I  again  received  a  note  that  my  accounts  must  be  certified 
to  by  disinterested  witnesses,  who  were  present  at  the  issue,  and  that 
Mr.  Buntington's  testimony  was  inadmissible,  as  he  did  not  appear  as 
an  employe,  but  as  a  trader.  This  explains  a  little  to  me.  It,  to- 
gether with  other  circumstances,  reveals  to  me  a  determined  and  set- 
tled policy,  on  the  part  of  the  department,  to  mete  out  nothing  at  all 
to  Utah,  no  matter  how  much  might  be  done  for  the  Indians,  or  how 
well  the  papers  are  made  out  or  certified.  Coupled  with  the  actions 
of  the  War  Department  upon  the  accounts  for  the  suppression  of 
Indian  hostilities,  for  which  never  yet  a  half  dime  (has)  been  paid  by 
the  general  government,  we  have  a  standard  value  of  complaint — 
according  to  the  mode  of  the  United  States  estimating  everything 
in  dollars  and  cents — of  $39,354  50;  which  complaint  might  be  sen- 
sibly diminished  by  the  prompt  payment  of  that  part  actually  as- 
sumed and  paid  by  the  Territory,  so  far  as  the  appropriations  are  made, 
and  will  justify.  I  have  never  asked  for  anything  more,  nor  do  I  care 
a  groat  whether  the  department  or  the  government  ever  contribute  a 
penny  towards  the  support  of  the  Indian  relations,  for  the  suppression 
of  Indian  hostilities,  or  any  other  public  purpose  or  object  in  or  for 
the  Territory  of  Utah.  If  they  will  only  come  out  boldly,  and  say 
that  they  do  not  wish  or  intend  to,  instead  of  eternally  thrusting  in 
the  dark,  taking  shelter  behind  such  trivial,  vain  subterfuges  as 
such  men  as  you  can  hatch  up.  I  have  not  the  confidence  to  be- 
lieve that  we  could  make  out  a  paper  that  would  be  satisfactory  to 
your  sceptical  brain.  Judging  from  the  manner  in  which  these  mat- 
ters have  been  treated  by  the  department,  I  should  conclude  that  you 
did  not  believe  there  were  any  Indians  in  the  Territory,  or,  if  there 
were,  that  it  was  necessary  to  expend  anything  to  maintain  friendly 
intercourse  with  them. 

I  should  also  conclude  the  government  did  not  believe  that  there 
had  been  any  Indian  hostilities  here.  One  thing  is  sure,  and  your 
actions  prove  it  most  conclusively,  that  you  either  possess  the  most 
regardless  indifference,  or  you  most  studiously  endeavor  to  "  mete  out 
a  determined  and  even-handed"  injustice  so  far  as  regards  this  Ter- 
ritory. 

I  have  never  failed  scrupulously  complying  with  all  of  your  instruc- 
tions and  requirements,  and  have  always  solicited  more,  and  would 
have  been  glad  to  have  received  and  complied  with  them,  so  far  as  it 
was  in  my  power  to  have  done  so. 

I  have  always  forwarded  a  report  every  quarter,  accompanying  my 
accounts,  all  of  which,  I  find,  slumber  among  the  rubbish,  only  one 
of  which  appeared  in  your  report  of  1853,  and  none  at  all  in  1854. 
For  this  I  care  nothing,  as  I  am  not  particularly  ambitious  of  appear- 
ing in  the  accompanying  documents.  But  I  give  you  fair  warning, 
that  if  you  do  not  pay  those  accounts  or  claims,  and  act  a  little  more 
accommodating  in  future,  that  I  shall  print  them  myself  as  I  see 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  17,f> 

proper.     It  is  an  old  saying,  "  that  enough  is  as  good  as  a  feast/'     j 
will,  therefore,  close  this  communication  by  merely  stating  that  the 
quarterly  accounts  ending  the  30th  of  this  month,  together  with  iny 
report,  will  be  forwarded  with  the  July  mail. 
Not  promising  but  that  I  may  print  this  also, 
I  remain,  distinguished  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant. 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 
Gov.  and  ex-officio  Sup't  Indian  Affairs  Utah  Territory. 

Hon.  GEORGE  W.  MANYPENNY, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  Washington,  D.  C. 


No.  22. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 
Office  of  Indian  Affairs,  July  10,  1855. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  for  your  consideration 
a  copy  of  a  letter  received  by  this  office  from  Agent  Hurt  of  the  2d  of 
May  last,  in  which  he  states  that  the  Mormons,  at  their  last  semi- 
annual conference,  nominated  a  large  number  of  missionaries  to  go 
among  the  Indians  of  Utah  Territory  for  the  avowed  purpose  of 
preaching  to  them  ;  that  these  saints  have  either  accidentally  or  pur- 
posely created  a  distinction  in  the  minds  of  the  Indian  tribes  of  the 
Territory  between  the  Mormons  and  the  citizens  of  the  United  States 
which  must  prove  prejudicial  to  the  interests  of  the  latter.  He 
recommends  that  the  attention  of  the  superintendent,  agents,  and 
sub-agents  be  called  to  this  subject,  and  that  the  conduct  of  those  mis- 
sionaries be  subjected  to  the  strictest  scrutiny,  with  a  view  to  the  en- 
forcement of  the  act  of  1834,  to  regulate  trade  and  intercourse  with 
the  Indian  tribes,  and  to  preserve  peace  on  the  frontiers. 

I  deem  this  a  subject  of  importance,  and  have  to  suggest,  for  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  your  advice  and  instruction,  whether  the  recom- 
mendation of  Mr.  Hurt  respecting  the  notification  of  the  superin- 
tendents, agents,  and  sub-agents  within  the  Territories  to  scrutinize 
the  conduct  of  said  missionaries  should  be  adopted,  or  otherwise  the 
best  course,  in  your  opinion,  to  be  pursued  in  the  premises. 

In  view  of  the  position  of  Agent  Hurt,  I  would  also  suggest  that 
whatever  course  you  may  deem  proper  to  pursue  be  kept  confidential, 
so  that  the  agent  may  not  incur  the  ill-will  of  the  Mormons. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

CHARLES  E.  MIX, 

Acting  Commissioner. 

Hon.  R.  MCCLELLAND, 

Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


176  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 


No.  23. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  U.  T., 

May  2,  1855. 

SIR  :  Permit  me  to  call  your  attention  to  some  facts  which  I  do  not 
feel  myself  altogether  at  liberty  to  remain  silent  upon. 

At  the  last  semi-annual  conference  of  the  Latter  Day  Saints,  a 
large  numher  of  missionaries  were  nominated  to  go  and  preach  to  the 
Indians,  or  Lamonites^  as  they  are  here  called.  Now,  since  my 
arrival  in  this  Territory,  I  have  become  satisfied  that  these  saints 
have,  either  accidentally  or  purposely,  created  a  distinction,  in  the 
minds  of  the  Indian  tribes  of  this  Territory,  between  the  Mormons 
and  the  people  of  the  United  States,  that  cannot  act  otherwise  than 
prejudicial  to  the  interests  of  the  latter.  And  what,  sir,  may  we  ex- 
pect of  these  missionaries  ?  There  is  perhaps  not  a  tribe  on  the  con- 
tinent that  will  not  be  visited  by  one  or  more  of  them.  I  suspect 
their  first  object  will  be  to  teach  those  wretched  savages  that  they 
are  the  rightful  owners  of  the  American  soil,  and  that  it  has  been 
wrongfully  taken  from  them  by  the  whites,  and  that  the  Great  Spirit 
had  sent  the  Mormons  among  them  to  help  them  recover  their  rights. 

The  character  of  many  of  those  who  have  been  nominated  is  calcu- 
lated to  confirm  this  view  of  the  case.  They  embrace  a  class  of  rude 
and  lawless  young  men,  such  as  might  be  regarded  as  a  curse  to  any 
civilized  community.  But  I  do  not  wish  to  excite  prejudice  or  en- 
courage feelings  of  hostility  against  these  people.  On  the  contrary, 
I  think  such  a  course  would  be  unwise  and  impolitic.  They  always 
have  and  ever  will  thrive  by  persecution.  They  know  well  the  effect 
it  has  had  upon  them,  and,  consequently,  crave  to  be  persecuted.  It 
is  due  to  many  of  them,  however,  to  say  that  they  are  honest  in  the 
belief  that  they  are  the  only  Christians  on  earth,  and  that  God  is 
about  to  redeem  the  world  from  sin  and  establish  His  millenium. 
It  is  possible,  too,  that  many  of  them  are  loyal  in  their  feelings  to 
the  United  States,  but,  perhaps,  this  cannot  be  said  of  many  of  their 
leaders.  But  time  will  convince  many  of  them  of  their  errors  ;  many 
of  their  prophecies  must  i;ome  true  in  a  few  years,  or  doubt  will  take 
the  place  of  sanguine  hope,  and  will  do  more  to  relax  their  energies 
and  weaken  their  strength  than  anything  else  could  do  at  this  time. 

My  object  in  writing  is  to  suggest  that  the  attention  of  all  superin- 
tendents, agents,  and  sub-agents,  and  all  other  loyal  citizens  residing 
or  sojourning  in  the  Indian  country,  be  called  to  this  subject,  that 
the  conduct  of  these  Mormon  missionaries  be  subjected  to  the  strictest 
scrutiny,  and  that  the  thirteenth  and  fourteenth  sections  of  the  "Act 
to  regulate  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Indian  tribes,  and  to  preserve 
pea,ce  on  the  frontiers,"  be  property  enforced. 

Yery  respectfully,  &c., 

GARLAND    HURT, 
Indian  Agent  for  Utah. 

Hon.  GEO.  W.  MANYPENNY, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  Washington,  I}.  C. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  177 

P.  S. — In  proof  of  the  facts  before  stated,  I  would  say  that  I  have 
had  great  difficulty  in  procuring  an  interpreter,  though  there  are 
many  persons  in  the  Territory  who  speak  the  Indian  language,  but 
they  were  all  nominated  as  missionaries,  and  I  was  forced  to  the 
humiliating  necessity  of  imploring  the  clemency  of  his  excellency 
Brigham  Young  to  permit  one  of  them  to  remain  with  me.  I  never 
saw  any  people  in  my  life  who  were  so  completely  under  the  influence 
of  one  man. 

a.  H. 


No.  24. 
Memoranda  for  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

OFFICE  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS, 

August  15,  1855. 

In  the  letter  from  this  office  to  you  of  the  10th  ultimo,  transmitting 
a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Agent  Hurt,  respecting  the  contemplated 
movements  of  Mormon  missionaries  among  the  Indians  of  Utah,  and 
the  Indian  tribes  generally,  it  was  my  purpose  to  have  made  the 
subject  embrace  the  Indians  generally,  although  by  oversight  it  was 
confined  to  the  tribes  in  Utah,  for  the  agent  states  that,  "  Theie  is 
perhaps  not  a  tribe  on  the  continent  that  will  not  be  visited  by  one  or 
more  of  these  missionaries." 

As  the  subject  was  deemed  important,  it  was  presented  for  your 
consideration  and  advice,  with  a  view  to  the  soundness  of  the  policy 
of  instructing  the  superintendents,  agents,  and  sub-agents  throughout 
the  Indian  country  to  watch  with  an  eye  of  vigilance  the  movements 
of  the  Mormons,  and  in  case  their  efforts,  under  the  guise  of  mis- 
sionary labors,  should  tend  to  create  a  spirit  of  insubordination  among 
the  Indians  averse  to  the  interests  of  the  government,  that  they  im- 
mediately notify  the  department. 

The  intercourse  act  of  1834  provides,  section  13,  "That  if  any 
citizen  or  other  person  residing  within  the  United  States  or  the  terri- 
tory thereof,  shall  send  any  talk,  speech,  message,  or  letter  to  any 
Indian  nation,  tribe,  chief,  or  individual,  with  an  intent  to  produce  a 
contravention  or  infraction  of  any  treaty,  or  other  law  of  the  United 
States,  or  to  disturb  the  peace  and  tranquility  of  the  United  States,  he 
shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars."  And  the 
last  clause  of  section  15  reads  as  follows,  viz  :  f(  or  in  case  any  citizen 
or  other  person  shall  alienate ,  or  attempt  to  alienate  the  confidence  of  any 
Indian  or  Indians  from  the  government  of  the  United  States,  he  shall 
forfeit  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars."  And  again  it  is  provided 
by  the  23d  section,  "  That  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  military  force  of 
the  United  States  to  be  employed  in  such  manner,  and  under  such 
regulations,  as  the  President  may  direct,  in  the  apprehension  of  every 
person  who  shall  or  may  be  found  in  the  Indian  country,  in  violation 
of  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  act,"  &c. 

The  suspicions  which  the  agent  throws  upon  the  character  of  those 

H.  Ex.  Doc.  n 12 


178  UTAH  EXPEDITION, 

Mormons  engaged  as  missionaries  are  such  as  may  make  it  necessary  as  a 
precautionary  step  to  preserve  the  harmony  of  our  relations  with  the 
Indian  tribes,  to  instruct  the  superintendents,  agents,  and  sub-agents, 
to  scrutinize  the  conduct  of  Mormons  and  all  others  suspected  of 
having  a  design  to  interrupt  the  peace  and  tranquility  between  the 
Indians  and  the  government. 

CHARLES  E.  MIX, 
Acting  Commissioner. 


No.  24  J. 

GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  U.  T. 

Aprils,  1855. 

SIR  :  You  may  be  aware  that  I  had  instructions  from  the  War  De- 
partment to  demand  the  surrender  of  some  of  Captain  Gunnison's 
murderers.  Discovering  that  any  attempt  to  seize  them  would  be  cer- 
tainly resented,  I  felt  it  proper,  for  manifest  reasons,  to  advise  with 
Governor  Young  before  visiting  the  Pah-vants.  The  governor  assured 
me  that  he  knew  the  Indians  well,  and  that  not  one  of  the  criminals  could 
be  obtained,  unless  by  some  appeal  to  the  avarice  of  their  chiefs ;  and  he 
advised  me  to  offer  to  War-kar  and  Kinosh-a  a  few  ponies,  &c  ,  which 
I  did.  Six  of  the  Indians  engaged  in  the  massacre  were  surrendered, 
and  Dr.  Hurt,  the  Indian  agent,  kindly  redeemed  the  promise  made 
by  me.  Since  that  event,  it  seemed  to  me  eminently  proper  to  show 
our  sense  of  such  remarkably  good  conduct,  and  I  caused  some  more 
presents  (for  which  the  agent  also  paid)  to  be  given  to  the  tribe.  The 
whole  value  of  these  presents  will  amount  to  about  $500,  which,  I 
question  not,  you  will,  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  case, 
permit  to  be  deducted  from  sum  appropriated  by  Congress  for  the 
Utahs.  In  any  event  please  hold  me  solely  responsible.  I  also  found 
it  necessary  to  expend  some  money  in  aiding  the  chiefs  to  get  wit- 
nesses, &c.,  before  the  court ;  also  to  issue  provisions  for  a  few  days 
to  many  Indians  attending  the  trial ;  but  in  fairness  these  items 
should  likewise  be  deducted  ;  but  of  that  you  can  judge  best.  I  will 
write  on  the  subject  to  the  quartermaster  and  commissary  generals. 

The  trial  was  abortive  ;  but  it  will,  notwithstanding,  have  two  good 
^effects  :  one  upon  the  savages,  the  other  upon  the  general  government, 
which  will  now  understand  the  undue  sympathy  felt  by  the  Mormons 
for  the  Indians.  I  have  no  idea  whatever  that  the  prominent  Mormon 
authorities  would  aid  or  countenance  active  hostilities  by  the  govern- 
ment against  the  Utahs  ;  and  in  my  opinion  it  is  a  matter  requiring 
the  immediate  attention  of  the  Indian  Bureau.  Permit  me  to  add,  in 
this  connexion,  that  I  do  not  believe  the  Indian  policy  of  Governor 
Young  to  be  correct ;  but  of  that  it  is  probably  best  that  Dr.  Hurt 
shall  advise  you. 

These  savages  have  undoubtedly  learned  from  Dr.  Hurt  and  myself, 
for  the  first  time,  what  relation  they  hold  to  the  government,  and  that 
to  it  alone  they  must  look  for  encouragement  in  well  doing,  or  chas- 
tisement for  misconduct. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  179 

I  will  take  the  liberty  to  invoke  your  aid  of  the  course  Dr.  Hurt  has  re- 
solved upon  to  wards  the  Indians  in  his  charge,  for  it  seems  to  me  to  be  the 
wisest  and  most  philanthropic  possible.  One  feature,  especially  should 
commend  itself  to  you  and  to  everyone — the  encouragement  he  proposes 
to  give  the  Indians  to  cultivate  the  soil,  and  to  live  upon  their  own 
labor.  The  Mormons,  (to  their  credit  be  it  said,  whatever  may  have 
been  their  motive,)  have  done  something  towards  this  end  ;  the  agent 
wished  to  exert  himself  further  and  more  effectually  towards  the  same 
end  ;  and  I  would  earnestly  ask  the  support  of  the  government  to  his 
•consistent  and  benevolent  efforts. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  J.  STEPTOE, 
Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  United  States Ar  my. 

Hon.  Gr.  W.  MANYPENNY, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  Washington  City,  D.  C. 

April  15. — Permit  to  suggest,  that  as  the  Pah-vant  criminals,  re- 
cently tried  and  sentenced  to  imprisonment  have  actually  escaped,  and 
so  received  no  punishment  at  all,  it  might  be  good  policy  to  award  to 
them  but  a  small  portion  (if  any)  of  the  moneys  voted  by  Congress  to 
the  Utahs.  This  would  impress  upon  them  still  further  the  necessity 
of  future  good  conduct. 


No.  25. 

OFFICE  INDIAN  AGENT,  UTAH, 
Great  Salt  Lake  City,  August  30,  1856. 

SIR  :  As  your  letter  of  July  9,  and  copies  of  those  of  November 
14  and  March  19  were  received  on  the  28th  instant,  which  in- 
formed me  of  the  non-acceptance  of  draft  No.  18,  I  take  occasion  to 
make  a  brief  statement  of  the  motives  that  prompted  me  to  pursue 
the  course  which  I  have. 

Soon  after  my  arrival  in  the  Territory,  (February,  1855,)  I  became 
impressed  with  the  fact  that  the  Indians  had  made  a  distinction 
between  Mormons  and  Americans,  which  was  calculated  to  operate  to 
the  prejudice  of  the  interests  and  policy  of  government  towards  them. 
I  have  endeavored  to  apprise  you  heretofore  of  the  policy  of  the  Church 
of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints,  of  sending  missionaries  among 
these  Indians,  and  of  the  character  of  the  persons  generally  chosen. 
These  facts  were  embodied  in  a  letter  to  you,  (April  28,  1855.)  I  de- 
termined to  counteract  these  impressions  if  possible,  but  in  attempting 
to  do  so,  a  liberal  policy  was  necessary,  otherwise  their  prejudices 
towards  government,  and  myself  as  its  agent,  might  have  been  con- 
firmed. ^A.s  the  course  pursued  by  his  excellency  Brigham  Young 
has  been  a  liberal  one  in  making  presents  to  them,  I  thought  it  inex- 
pedient to  relinquish  that  policy  unless  a  better  and  more  popular  one 
could  have  been  adopted  immediately  in  its  stead.  And  in  fact,  I  was 
not  authorized  to  deviate  from  his  policy,  for  in  a  letter  from  your 
office  I  had  been  directed  to  look  to  him  for  all  my  instructions  in  the 


180  UTAH  EXPEDITION. 

discharge  of  my  official  duties.  And  I  have  letters  of  instruction 
from  him  authorizing  all  the  expenditures  that  I  have  made  since 
entering  upon  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  this  office.  I  confess, 
however,  that  the  policy  of  introducing  manual  labor  among  them 
was  suggested  by  myself ;  but  even  in  that  I  have  received  his  most 
cordial  approbation.  Believing  this  to  be  the  more  judicious  policy,  it 
has  been  my  chief  concern  to  impress  this  fact  upon  your  notice 
through  his  excellency.  Consequently,  in  all  my  quarterly  communi- 
cations I  have  alluded  to  this  subject  with  the  liveliest  feeling  of  in- 
terest. Being  fully  convinced  of  the  propriety  and  necessity  of  this 
policy  I  applied  through  him,  (for  I  supposed  that  the  proper  chan- 
nel,) on  the  31st  of  December  last,  for  an  appropriation  to  meet  my 
expenses  in  this  undertaking.  And  as  necessity  required  in  the  pro- 
gress of  this  enterprise  I  drew  for  money,  and  as  I  was  not  yet  advised 
of  any  other  provision  having  been  made  to  meet  my  engagements,  I 
drew  upon  the  fund  for  incidental  expenses.  I  had  used  all  diligence 
to  have  the  necessary  provision  made  ;  my  engagements  were  such  that 
I  could  not  relinquish  them.  To  have  done  so  would  have  been  dis- 
astrous in  the  extreme,  blighting  at  once,  and  perhaps  forever,  the 
growing  confidence  which  was  rising  in  the  minds  of  the  Indians 
towards  government  and  its  accredited  agents  ;  and  it  was  reasonable 
to  suppose  that  his  excellency,  after  having  encouraged  me  in  every 
way  possible  in  the  policy  of  farming,  would  have  relinquished  in 
some  degree  his  own  peculiar  policy,  that  a  larger  portion  of  the  funds 
appropriated  might  be  applied  to  that  of  farming,  as  he  was  fully  ad- 
vised of  the  course  I  expected  to  pursue  and  had  given  his  sanction  to 
the  same.  But,  contrary  to  my  expectations,  so  soon  as  spring  opened 
I  received  a  note  from  him,  requesting  me  to  make  a  visit  to  the  val- 
leys of  the  Humboldt,  Carson  and  Tincky  rivers,  which  he  knew 
would  require  an  absence  of  near  four  months  from  my  farms,  after  I 
had  adopted  such  measures  as  rendered  it  impossible  for  me  to  retrace 
my  steps  and  when  the  trip  could  not  be  made  without  the  expendi- 
ture of  some  five  or  six  thousand  dollars  of  the  funds  on  hand.  But 
no  doubt  his  excellency  saw  a  necessity  for  these  arrangements,  and  I 
confess  it  does  not  become  me  to  speak  in  terms  so  plain  of  a  superior 
officer.  But  I  am  charged  in  your  letter  of  the  19th  March,  with  neg- 
lecting to  consult  his  excellency  and  Agent  Armstrong  as  to  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  public  funds  should  be  taken  up.  I  feel  it  due  to 
myself  to  make  these  explanations ;  and  I  will  say  further,  that  I  called 
at  his  office  directly  after  receiving  the  letter  of  instructions  to  visit 
Carson,  and  expressed  my  fears  that  there  would  not  be  funds  enough 
to  meet  our  engagements  for  farming  purposes  ;  that  the  agency  had 
been  expensive  during  the  winter  ;  that  I  had  been  purchasing  stock 
and  farming  implements,  breadstuff's,,  &c.,  and  that  I  had  fears  of 
overrunning  the  appropriation.  His  only  reply  was  that  he  had  no 
doubt  but  my  drafts  would  all  be  paid.  The  policy  of  giving  presents 
to  the  Indians  is  a  popular  one  with  them,  but  its  benefits  are  of  a 
transient  character,  and  leaves  them  disappointed  and  dissatisfied,  or 
to  remain  a  burden  upon  the  government  and  our  citi^ns  without 
any  permanent  good.  Any  one  conversant  with  the  feelings  and  pre- 
judices which  prevailed  for  some  months  after  my  arrival  in  the  Ter- 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  181 

ritory,  will  bear  me  out  in  the  opinion  that  my  policy  has  been  the 
best  that  could  have  been  pursued  under  the  circumstances,  and  has  in 
all  probability  averted  some  of  the  most  serious  calamities  that  could 
have  arisen  between  the  two  races. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GARLAND  HURT, 

Indian  Agent,  Utah. 
Hon.  GrEo.  W.  MANYPENNY, 

Commissioner  Indian  Affairs,    Washington,  D    C. 


No.  26. 

OFFICE  OF  INDIAN  AGENT,  UTAH  TERRITORY, 

October  31,  1856. 

SIR  :  Having  just  returned  from  an  excursion  in  the  southern  settle- 
ments, in  company  with  Surveyor  General  Burr  and  Mr.  Peltro,  late 
of  the  topographical  corps,  I  take  the  liberty  of  presenting  to  your 
notice  a  few  incidents  of  rather  mysterious  and  otherwise  unpleasant 
character,  which  occurred  to  us  during  the  trip.  Travelling  by  way 
of  the  Indian  farm  in  Sanpito  county,  we  reached  Fill  more  on  the 
morning  of  the  23d  instant ;  but  learning  that  Kinosh,  the  Pah-vante 
chief,  was  very  sick,  we  concluded  to  go  on  to  the  Indian  farm  at  Corn 
creek  to  see  him.  But  we  had  not  proceeded  far  till  we  saw,  between 
us  and  the  base  of  the  mountains,  two  persons  on  horseback  going  in 
the  direction  of  the  Indian  lodges  at  full  speed.  I  supposed  them  to 
be  Indians,  but  before  we  reached  the  Indian  settlement  we  saw  them 
returning  by  the  same  route.  When  we  drew  up  to  the  lodges  I  asked 
who  they  were?  the  Indians  said  they  were  Mormon  boys,  and  on  inquir- 
ing what  they  had  come  down  in  such  a  hurry  for,  they  answered, 
Nothing  !  After  some  little  confusion  when  we  first  drove  up,  the 
Indians  became  quiet,  and  appeared  glad  to  see  us.  We  remained 
with  them  until  the  25th,  when,  as  the  weather  was  becoming  more 
inclement,  we  returned  to  Fillmore,  and  put  up  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Peter  Robinson,  where  we  were  received  and  entertained  in  a  hospi- 
table manner.  In  the  evening  we  were  visited  by  Mr.  Edwin  Pugh, 
who  invited  two  young  men  of  our  party,  R.  W.  James  and  James 
White,  to  accompany  him  to  his  house,  which  they  did  ;  but  they  had 
not  been  there  long  till  some  persons  began  to  stone  the  house,  some 
of  the  rocks  passing  through  the  windows  and  smashing  the  lights. 
Mr.  P.  ran  out  and  asked  what  they  meant?  They  asked  what  he 
was  doing  with  those  damned  Americans  about  his  house?  Mr.  P. 
said  they  were  not  Americans,  but  Mormons.  They  replied  that  they 
were  no  better  than  Americans,  or  they  would  not  be  with  them.  I 
state  these  facts  as  they  were  related  to  us  the  next  morning  by  the 
young  men.  Mr.  Pugh  also  informed  us  that  the  young  men  who 
went  ahead  of  us  in  such  haste  to  the  Indian  camp  had  been  sent  "by 
the  bishop  to  tell  the  Indians  that  the  Americans  were  coming  to  their 
camp  to  arrest  the  murderers  of  Captain  G-unnison,  and  to  advise  them 
to  look  out.  As  we  were  about  leaving,  I  did  not  investigate  the 


182  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

matter  any  further.  But  as  the  subject  came  up  again  in  the  evening, 
after  we  had  camped  for  the  night,  I  thought  to  ask  Pin-tuts ,  who  had 
accompanied  us  from  Spanish  fork,  if  he  had  heard  the  Pah-van tes  say 
anything  ahout  it ;  he  said  when  he  reached  their  camps,  some  two  or 
three  miles  ahead  of  us,  the  Pah-vantes  were  in  great  confusion,  and 
some  of  them  were  running  off.  They  said  that  the  Mormons  had 
sent  them  word  that  the  Americans  were  coming  to  tie  them,,  hut  he 
told  them  that  they  were  fools,  for  we  were  not  tying  captains,  but 
friends,  and  were  coming  to  give  them  presents.  On  the  next  day 
some  teamsters,  whom  we  met,  asked  Pin-tuts  who  we  were ;  the 
Indian  replied  that  we  were  Americans.  They  told  him  that  we  were 
"  cots-at,"  (not  good.)  He  told  them  they  were  fools,  and  passed  on. 
Now  I  am  satisfied,  sir,  that  you  cannot  approve  of  such  conduct,  arid 
may  easily  imagine  how  direful  the  consequences  might  have  been  to 
our  little  party,  when  we,  unsuspectingly,  drove  up  to  their  village 
and  camped  for  the  night,  had  it  not  been  for  the  interposition  of  our 
faithful  friend  and  guide  in  behalf  of  our  innocence. 

Soon  after  commencing  my  labors  among  the  Indians  of  this  Terri- 
tory, I  learned  that  they  made  a  distinction  between  the  Mormons  and 
Americans,  which  I  thought  was  not  altogether  compatible  with  cor- 
rect policy,  believing  that  it  would  ultimately  operate  to  the  prejudice 
of  one  or  the  other  party,  and  I  have  not  been  backward  in  expressing 
my  views  on  all  suitable  occasions,  to  the  people  in  regard  to  this 
matter,  and  have  almost  invariably,  as  my  interpreters  will  certify, 
took  occasion  in  my  intercourse  with  the  Indians,  to  teach  them  that 
there  is  no  distinction  between  the  two  classes,  but  that  we  were  all 
the  Great  Father's  people.  If  they  believe  me  they  will  accuse  the 
opposite  party  with  lying  and  attempting  to  deceive  them,  and  then 
how  easy  it  will  be  for  men  to  imagine  that  I  am  stirring  up  prejudices 
among  the  Indians  against  the  people,  and  the  foul  aspersions  of  slan- 
der will  brand  me,  and  I  am  to  be  hunted  down  for  crimes  of  which 
they,  themselves,  are  the  guilty  perpetrators. 

I  am  not  unmindful  of  the  delicate  position  I  occupy  as  a  mediator 
between  the  two  races  in  this  Territory,  yet  I  am  not  unwilling  that 
my  official  conduct  should  be  subjected  to  the  strictest  scrutiny,  for  I 
am  satisfied  that  our  prospects  for  success  in  the  policy  which  has  been 
adopted  for  the  civilization  of  the  Indians  in  this  Territory,  depends 
greatly  upon  the  conduct  of  those  with  whom  they  are  daily  brought 
in  contract,  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  men  will  so  far  forget  them- 
selves, and  the  relations  they  sustain,  both  to  Indians  and  to  govern- 
ment, as  to  be  guilty  of  gross  misrepresentations  so  fatal  to  their  own 
peace  and  prosperity. 

Very  respectfully,  yours,  &c., 

GARLAND  HURT, 
Indian  Agent. 

His  Excellency  BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Governor,  &c. 


UTAH    EXPEDITION.  183 

No.  27. 

OFFICE  OF  INDIAN  AGENT,  UTAH, 
Great  Salt  Lake  City,  November  20,  1856. 

SIR  :  As  a  large  number  of  claims  against  government,  for  losses  of 
property  in  consequence  of  Indian  depredations  in  Utah,  have  received 
my  certificate,  I  deem  it  proper  to  state  that  I  entertained  doubts  of 
the  propriety  of  encouraging  them  ;  but  as  I  had  already  sanctioned 
some  of  a  similar  character  before  I  was  aware  of  the  amount  to  be  pre- 
sented, I  have  concluded  that  they  would  enable  you  to  judge  more  cor- 
rectly of  the  wisdom  of  the  boasted  policy  of  his  excellency  Brigham 
Young,  which  has  been  conducted  at  the  sacrifice  of  the  lives  and 
property  of  a  deluded  populace,  who  are  now  groaning  in  poverty  and 
distress. 

If  his  excellency's  boasted  civilization  of  the  Utahs  is  to  be  sustained 
at  such  a  sacrifice  as  these  claims  show,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  what 
advantage  has  been  derived  from  it ;  and  I  would  say  further,  that  if 
half  the  amount  that  is  here  presented  had  been  appropriated  and 
used  in  a  proper  manner  for  the  civilization  of  the  Indians  during 
the  last  three  years,  the  whole  of  this  same  Utah  tribe,  and  all  others 
in  the  vicinity  of  these  settlements  might,  by  this  time,  been  happily 
located  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  many,  if  not  all,  the  comforts  of 
civilized  life,  and  that,  too,  without  the  complaint  of  a  single  individual 
in  the  Territory  for  losses. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GARLAND  HURT, 

Indian  Agent,  Utah. 
Hon.  GEO.  W.  MANYPENNY, 

Commissioner  Indian  Affairs,  Washington,  D.  C. 


No.  28. 

OFFICE  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS, 

Great  Salt  Lake  City,  September,  12,  1857. 

SIR  :  Enclosed  please  find  abstract,  account  current,  and  vouchers, 
from  1  to  35,  inclusive,  (also  abstract  of  employes)  for  the  current 
quarter  up  to  ^his  date,  as,  owing  to  the  stoppage  of  the  mail,,  I  have 
deemed  it  best  to  avail  myself  of  the  opportunity  of  sending  by  private 
conveyance,  not  knowing  when  I  may  have  another  chance.  The 
expenditure,  as  you  will  observe  by  the  papers,  amount  to  $6,411  38, 
for  which  I  have  drawn  my  drafts  on  the  department  in  favor  of  Hon. 
John  W.  Bernhisel,  delegate  to  Congress  from  this  Territory.  You 
will  also  observe  that  a  portion  of  these  expenditures  accrued  prior  to 
this  quarter,  which  may  need  a  word  of  explanation. 

Santa  Clara  is  in  Washington  county,  the  extreme  southern  county 
of  this  Territory,  and  this  labor  was  commenced  and  partly  performed; 
seeds,  grain,  &c.,  furnished  prior  to  the  time  that  Major  Armstrong 
visited  those  parts  of  the  Territory,  hence  failed  to  find  its  way  into 
his  reports,  and  failed  being  included  in  mine  because  the  accounts  and 
vouchers  were  not  sooner  brought  in,  and  hence  not  settled  until  re- 
cently. But  little  has  been  effected  in  that  part  of  the  Territory  at 


184  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

the  expense  of  the  government,  although  much  has  been  done  by  the 
citizens  in  aiding  the  Indians  with  tools,  teams_,  and  instruction  in 
cultivating  the  earth.  The  bands  mentioned  are  part  of  the  Piede 
tribe  of  Indians,  who  are  very  numerous,  but  only  in  part  inhabit  this 
territory.  These  Indians  are  more  easily  induced  to  labor  than  any 
others  in  the  Territory,  and  many  of  them  are  now  engaged  in  the 
common  pursuits  of  civilized  life.  Their  requirements  are  constant 
for  wagons,  ploughs,  spades,  hoes,  teams,  and  harness,  &c.,  to  enable 
them  to  work  to  advantage. 

In  like  manner,  the  Indians  in  Cache  valley  have  received  but  little 
at  the  expense  of  the  government,  although  a  sore  tax  upon  the 
people.  West  and  along  the  line  of  the  Oregon  and  California  travel 
they  continue  to  make  their  contributions,  and,  I  am  sorry  to  add,  with 
considerable  loss  of  life  to  the  travellers.  This  is  what  I  have  always 
sought  by  all  means  in  my  power  to  avert,  but  I  find  it  the  most 
difficult  of  any  portion  to  control.  I  have  for  many  years  succeeded 
better  than  this.  I  learn  by  report  that  many  of  the  lives  of  the 
emigrants  and  considerable  quantities  of  property  have  been  taken. 
This  is  principally  owing  to  a  company  of  some  three  or  four  hundred 
returning  Californians,  who  travelled  those  roads  last  spring  to  the 
eastern  States,  shooting  at  every  Indian  they  could  see — a  practice 
utterly  abhorrent  to  all  good  people,  yet,  I  regret  to  say,  one  which 
has  been  indulged  in  to  a  great  extent  by  travellers  to  and  from  the 
eastern  States  and  California  ;  hence  the  Indians  regard  all  white 
men  alike  their  enemies,  and  kill  and  plunder  whenever  they  can  do 
so  with  impunity,  and  often  the  innocent  suffer  for  the  deeds  of  the 
guilty.  This  has  always  been  one  of  the  greatest  difficulties  that  I 
have  had  to  contend  with  in  the  administration  of  Indian  affairs  in 
this  Territory.  It  is  hard  to  make  an  Indian  believe  that  the  whites 
are  their  friends,  and  the  Great  Father  wishes  to  do  them  good,  when, 
perhaps,  the  very  next  party  which  crosses  their  path  shoots  them 
down  like  wolves. 

This  trouble  with  the  Indians  only  exists  along  the  line  of  travel 
west,  and  beyond  the  influence  of  our  settlements.  The  Shoshones 
are  not  hostile  to  travellers,  so  far  as  they  inhabit  in  this  Territory, 
except,  perhaps,  a  few  called  "Snake  Diggers,"  who  inhabit,  as 
before  stated,  along  the  line  of  travel  west  of  the  settlements.  There 
have,  however,  been  more  or  less  depredations  the  present  season 
north,  and  more  within  the  vicinity  of  the  settlements,  owing  to  the 
causes  above  mentioned,  and  I  find  it  of  the  utmost  difficulty  to 
restrain  them.  The  sound  of  war  quickens  the  blood  and  nerves  of 
an  Indian.  The  report  that  troops  were  wending  their  way  to  this 
Territory  has  also  had  its  influence  upon  them  In  one  or  two  in- 
stances this  was  the  reason  assigned  why  they  made  the  attacks  which 
they  did  upon  some  herds  of  cattle  They  seemed  to  think  it  was  to 
be  war  ;  they  might  as  well  commence  and  begin  to  lay  in  a  supply 
of  food  when  they  had  a  chance.  If  I  am  to  have  the  direction  of  the 
Indian  affairs  of  this  Territory,  and  am  expected  to  maintain  friendly 
relations  with  the  Indians,  there  are  a  few  things  that  I  would  most 
respectfully  suggest  to  be  done  : 

First.  That  travellers  omit  their  infamous  practice  of  shooting  them 
down  when  they  happen  to  see  one.  Whenever  the  citizens  of  this 


UTAH    EXPEDITION  185 

Territory  travels  the  roads  they  are  in  the  habit  of  giving  the  Indians 
food,  tobacco,  and  a  few  other  presents,  and  the  Indians  expect  some 
such  trifling  favor,  and  they  are  emboldened  by  this  practice  to  come 
up  to  the  road  with  a  view  of  receiving  such  presents.  When,  there- 
fore, travellers  from  the  States  make  their  appearance  they  throw 
themselves  in  sight  with  the  same  view,  and  when  they  are  shot  at, 
some  of  their  number  killed,  as  has  frequently  been  the  case,  we 
cannot  but  expect  them  to  wreak  their  vengeance  upon  the  next  train. 

Secondly.  That  the  government  should  make  more  liberal  appro- 
priations to  be  expended  in  presents.  I  have  proven  that  it  is  far 
cheaper  to  feed  and  clothe  the  Indians  than  to  fight  them.  I  find, 
moreover,  that  after  all,  when  the  fighting  is  over,  it  is  always  fol- 
lowed by  extensive  presents,  which,  improperly  distributed  in  the  first 
instance,  might  have  averted  the  fight.  In  this  case,  then,  the  ex- 
pense of  presents  are  the  same,  and  it  is  true  in  nine-tenths  of  the 
cases  that  have  happened. 

Thirdly.  The  troops  must  be  kept  away,  for  it  is  a  prevalent  fact 
that,  wherever  there  are  the  most  of  these  we  may  expect  to  find  the 
greatest  amount  of  hostile  Indians  and  the  least  security  to  persons 
and  property. 

If  these  three  items  could  be  complied  with,  I  have  no  hesitation  in 
saying  that,  so  far  as  Utah  is  concerned,  that  travellers  could  go  to 
and  from,  pass  and  repass,  and  no  Indian  would  disturb  or  molest 
them  or  their  property. 

In  regard  to  my  drafts,  it  appears  that  the  department  is  indis- 
posed to  pay  them ;  for  what  reason  I  am  at  a  loss  to  conjecture.  I  am 
aware  that  Congress  separated  the  office  of  superintendent  of  Indian 
affairs  from  that  of  governor  ;  that  the  salary  of  governor  remained 
the  same  for  his  gubernatorial  duties,  and  that  the  superintendent's 
was  fifteen  hundred.  I  do  think  that,  inasmuch  as  I  perform  the 
duties  of  both  offices,  that  I  am  entitled  to  the  pay  appropriated  for 
it,  and  trust  that  you  will  so  consider  it. 

I  have  drawn  again  for  the  expenditure  of  this  present  quarter,  as 
above  set  forth.  Of  course  you  will  do  as  you  please  about  paying,  as 
you  have  with  the  drafts  for  the  two  last  quarters. 

The  department  has  often  manifested  its  approval  of  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Indian  affairs  in  this  superintendency,  and  never  its  dis- 
approval. Why,  then,  should  I  be  subjected  to  such  annoyance  in  regard 
to  obtaining  the  funds  for  defraying  its  expenses?  Why  should  I  be 
denied  my  salary  ;  why  should  appropriations  made  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Indians  of  this  Territory  be  retained  in  the  treasury  and  indi- 
viduals left  unpaid  ?  These  are  questions  I  leave  for  you  to  answer 
at  your  leisure,  and,  meanwhile,  submit  to  such  course  in  relation 
thereto  as  you  shall  see  fit  to  direct. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  most  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 
Governor,  and  ex-officio  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs, 

Utah  Territory. 

Hon.  JAMES  W.  DENVER, 

Commissioner  Indian  Affairs, 

Washington  City,  D.  C. 


186  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 


No.    29. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 
Office  Indian  Affairs,  Washington,  November  11,  1857. 

SIR  :  Your  communication  of  the  12th  of  last  September  has  been 
received,  and  would  not  require  a  formal  reply  were  it  not  for  the 
effort  you  make  to  place  this  office  in  the  wrong,  when,  in  fact,  what- 
ever difficulties  exist,  have  resulted  from  your  own  conduct.  As  the 
superintendent  of  Indian  affairs  for  Utah  Territory,  it  was  your  duty 
to  keep  a  supervisory  control  over  the  different  agents,  and  to  see  that 
they  did  not  exceed  their  authority.  It  was  your  duty,  also,  to  notify 
them  of  all  things  pertaining  to  their  duties,  and  especially  to  keep 
them,  in  their  expenditures,  within  the  appropiations  made  for  your 
superin tendency.  Their  reports  were  made  to  you,  and  by  you  trans- 
mitted here.  You  cannot,  therefore,  plead  ignorance  of  their  trans- 
actions, knowing  then  the  amount  of  the  appropriations,  and  being 
fully  advised  of  the  affairs  of  the  agents,  and  that  money  could  not  be 
taken  out  of  the  treasury  without  an  act  of  Congress,  you  have  allowed 
the  drafts  to  exceed  the  appropriation  to  the  amount  of  $31,380  50  to 
the  close  of  the  fiscal  year,  ending  30th  June,  1857.  When  the  agents 
were  notified  that  their  drafts  could  not  be  paid  in  consequence  of  the 
appropriations  having  been  exhausted,  and  rebuked  for  exceeding 
them,  they  replied  that  they  had  no  information  from  you  on  the  sub- 
ject. The^e  communications  passed  through  your  hands,  and  yet  you 
seem  to  have  passed  them  by  unnoticed.  With  a  full  knowledge  then 
of  all  the  facts,  you  took  no  steps,  so  far  as  this  office  is  informed,  to 
protect  the  public  interests,  or  to  keep  your  subordinates  within  the 
proper  sphere  of  their  duties.  On  the  contrary  you  seem  to  have  been 
disposed  to  encourage  these  things,  as  is  evidenced  in  your  orders  to 
Agent  Hurt,  sending  him  to  Carson's  valley,  at  a  heavy  expense  to 
the  government,  when  it  was  well  known  that  the  services  of  an  agent 
were  not  required  in  that  quarter  ;  and  again  when  you  fitted  out  an 
expedition  yourself,  and  conducted  it  northward,  out  of  your  superin- 
tendency,  to  give  presents  to  Indians  not  under  your  control.  From 
all  this  it  follows  that  if  your  drafts  are  not  paid,  you  have  no  right 
to  complain,  because  you  knew,  at  the  time,  that  the  appropriations 
on  which  they  were  drawn  were  exhausted. 

But,  even  if  the  money  was  in  the  treasury  ready  for  the  Indian 
service  in  Utah,  I  do  not  see  how  it  can  be  applied  to  the  payment  of 
your  drafts  until  they  shall  have  first  passed  through  the  strictest 
scrutiny  ;  for  this  department  has  information  from  reliable  sources, 
that,  so  far  from  encouraging  amicable  relations  between  the  Indians 
and  the  people  of  the  United  States  outside  of  your  own  immediate 
community,  you  have  studiously  endeavored  to  impress  on  the  minds  of 
the  Indians  that  there  was  a  difference  between  your  own  sect,  usually 
known  as  Mornons,  and  the  government  and  other  citizens  of  the 
United  States — that  the  former  were  their  friends  and  the  latter  their 
enemies. 

In  addition  to  this,  you  have  been  denouncing  this  government  and 
threatening  an  armed  resistance  to  the  authorities  sent  out  by  the 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  187 

President.  Indeed,  unless  you  and  your  coadjutors  are  most  grossly 
misrepresented,  and  your  language  misquoted,  the  appearance  of  those 
authorities  among  you  is  all  that  is  necessary  to  prompt  you  to  an 
overt  act  of  treason.  It  could  never  have  been  intended,  when  the 
appropriations  were  made  hy  Congress,  that  the  money  should  be  used 
in  arousing  the  savages  to  war  against  our  own  citizens,  or  to  enable 
a  subordinate  officer  to  carry  on  treasonable  practices  against  his  gov- 
ernment. The  rule  of  this  office  is  to  withhold  annuities  from  the 
Indians  whenever  they  place  themselves  in  a  hostile  or  antagonistic 
attitude  towards  the  government,  and  I  know  of  no  reason  why  the 
same  rule  should  not  be  applied  to  you  at  this  time  ;  but,  as  the  appro- 
priation has  been  exhausted,  it  is  not  necessary  to  consider  that  ques- 
tion now.  You  say  "  the  troops  must  be  kept  away,  for  it  is  a  prevalent 
fact  that  wherever  there  are  the  most  of  these,  we  may  expect  to 
find  the  greatest  amount  of  hostile  Indians,  and  the  least  security  for 
persons  and  property."  The  troops  are  under  the  direction  of  the 
President,  and  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  he  would  not  send  them  to 
Utah  Territory  unless  there  was  a  necessity  for  so  doing  ;  and  if  it  be 
true  that,  wherever  the  greatest  number  of  troops  are  there  are  to  be 
found  the  greatest  number  of  hostile  Indians,  it  arises  from  the  fact 
that  the  troops  are  necessary  at  such  places  to  preserve  the  peace  and 
to  keep  the  Indians  in  subjection.  There  is  no  reason  why  persons 
and  property  should  be  any  the  less  secure  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
troops  ;  nor  is  there  any  reason  why  peaceable  citizens  should  object 
to  their  presence.  If  it  is  your  intention  to  preserve  peace,  the  troops 
will  not  interfere  with  you  ;  but  if  you  intend  otherwise,  then  it  is 
necessary  that  the  troops  should  be  on  the  ground  to  enforce  it. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  s,uch  a  state  of  affairs  should  exist, 
and  it  is  always  with  great  reluctance  that  we  arrive  at  the  conclu- 
sion that  Americon  citizens  should  at  any  time  require  the  strong  arm 
of  power  to  compel  obedience  to  the  laws,  or  that  a  subordinate  officer 
should  so  far  forget  his  duty  as  to  use  his  official  position  to  injure 
one  portion  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and  to  alienate  another  portion  from 
loyalty  to  their  government.  But,  when  convinced  of  the  existence  of 
such  facts,  the  chief  executive  has  no  alternative  left  but  to  crush  out 
rebellion  ;  and  for  this  purpose  all  the  powers  of  the  government  are 
placed  under  his  control. 

Your  claim  for  double  salary  cannot  be  allowed,  for  even  it'  it  did 
not  come  in  conflict  with  the  general  rule  which  forbids  the  payment 
of  two  salaries  at  the  same  time  to  the  same  persons ,  yet  you  could 
not  be  entitled  to  it,  for  the  reason  that  you  became  superintendent  of 
Indian  affairs  by  virtue  of  your  appointment  as  governor  of  the  Ter- 
ritory ;  and  although  these  offices  have  since  been  separated,  yet  you 
had  not,  at  the  date  of  your  communication,  been  relieved  from  the 
duties  appertaining  to  them.  Your  other  accounts  will  be  examined 
into,  and  whenever  it  shall  be  ascertained  that  the  expenditure  was 
properly  made  it  will  be  paid,  should  Congress  make  an  appropria- 
tion for  that  purpose. 

You  say  ' '  the  department  has  often  manifested  its  approval  of  the 
management  of  the  Indian  affairs  in  this  superintendency,  and  never 
its  disapproval."  The  reverse  of  this  is  the  fact.  This  office  has 


188  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

often  found  fault  with  your  conduct,  and  to  prove  this  it  is  only 
necessary  to  quote  your  own  language.  One  extract  from  your  com- 
munication to  this  office,  dated  "  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  June  26, 
1855,"  will  suffice.  You  there  say,  "  for  the  last  two  years  I  have 
experienced  the  greatest  difficulty  in  getting  my  accounts  adjusted  at 
the  department;  and  when  they  have  finally  been  so  adjusted,  that  it 
has  been  done  by  suspending  and  disallowing  a  great  portion  thereof." 
Many  similar  extracts  might  be  given,  but  this  is  sufficient  to  estab- 
lish the  incorrectness  of  your  statement  that  this  office  had  never 
manifested  its  disapproval  of  your  conduct. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  W.   DENVER, 

Commissioner. 

His  Excellency  BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Great  Salt  Lake  City,  U.  T. 


No.  30. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 
Office  of  Indian  Affairs,  November  24,  1857. 

SIR  :  You  are,  doubtless,  aware  of  the  condition  of  affairs  in  the 
Territory  of  Utah,  and  of  the  fact  that  the  President  has  found  it  ne- 
cessary, in  consequence  of  the  attitude  which  the  Mormons,  so  called, 
have  placed  themselves  in  towards  the  government,  to  send  a  portion 
of  the  army  to  that  country.  The  department  has  been  advised  that 
steps  have  been  taken  by  persons  of  that  sect  to  endeavor  to  alienate 
some  of  the  tribes  of  the  Upper  Platte  from  their  allegiance  to  the 
United  States  ;  and,  presuming  that  it  is  not  improbable  that  the  same 
means  may  be  used,  or  attempted,  with  the  tribes  of  the  Territory  of 
New  Mexico  bordering  upon  Utah,  or  that  they  may  be  excited  by  the 
scenes  which  may  occur  between  the  troops  and  that  misguided  people, 
it  is  necessary  that  every  precaution  should  be  taken  to  keep  them 
quiet.  You  are,  therefore,  instructed  to  use  every  endeavor  in  your 
power  to  effect  this  object.  If  it  is  necessary  that  you  should  visit 
them  in  person  you  are  required  to  do  so,  and  to  use  all  funds  in  your 
hands  applicable  to  such  a  purpose,  if  requisite,  in  making  presents, 
or  otherwise,  for  the  purpose  of  conciliating  them.  Indeed,  you  are 
authorized  to  draw  upon  this  office,  if  absolutely  demanded,  for  a  sum 
not  exceeding  ten  or  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  which  can  be  so  applied. 
Yet,  all  pains  should  be  taken  to  observe  the  strictest  economy  in  its 
expenditures,  taking  care  to  satisfy  yourself  that  strong  reasons  exist 
for  every  item  laid  out. 

Should  you  fail  in  your  efforts  to  keep  the  Indians  in  a  state  of 
peace  and  quiet,  then  your  aim  should  be  to  array  them  against  such 
other  Indians  as  may  be  found  on  the  side  of  the  enemies  of  the  gov- 
ernment, and  to  spare  no  pains  to  prevent  them  from  attacking  the 
whites.  The  object  of  the  government  is  to  keep  them  quiet,  if  possi- 
ble ;  but  if  that  cannot  be  done,  then  to  control  them  in  such  a  man- 


UTAH   EXPEDITION  189 

ner  as  to  direct  their  attacks  only  against  those  savages  who  may  take 
up  arms  against  our  people. 

It  will  be  necessary  for  you  to  proceed  with  great  caution  and  deli- 
cacy in  this  matter,  so  as  not  to  excite  the  minds  of  the  Indians.  By 
keeping  a  vigilant  watchfulness  over  their  movements  you  will  he 
able  to  inform  yourself  whether  it  may  become  necessary  to  take  any 
steps  in  the  premises,  and  for  this  purpose  you  should  notify  the 
agents  of  your  superintendency  to  keep  you  well  informed  of  the  tem- 
per and  intentions  of  the  Indians  in  their  agencies.  They  should 
have  every  facility  afforded  them  to  ascertain  the  feelings  of  the  In- 
dians, and  to  keep  them  on  good  terms  with  our  citizens. 

The  location  of  Agent  Carson  will  make  his  position,  in  the  present 
emergency,  a  very  important  one,  and  he,  particularly,  should  be 
cautioned  to  leave  nothing  undone  to  carry  out  the  wishes  of  the  gov- 
ernment. 

Very  respectfully, 

J.  W.  DENVER,  Commissioner. 

J.  L.  COLLINS,  Esq., 

Superintendent,  Sante  Fe,  New  Mexico. 


No.  31. 

OFFICE  SUPERINTENDENT  INDIAN  AFFAIRS, 

Santa  Fe,  N.  Mt)  January  14,  1858. 

SIR  :  Your  letter  of  instructions  relative  to  the  proper  course  to  be 
pursued  by  the  superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs  for  this  Territory, 
in  the  anticipated  emergency  with  the  Mormons  in  Utah  Territory, 
has  been  received,  and  in  the  absence  of  the  superintendent,  such  steps 
taken  as  is  thought  will  accomplish  the  wishes  of  the  government. 

Immediately  after  perusing  your  instructions  an  express  was  des- 
patched for  agent's  Carson  and  Archutela.  They  arrived  here  on  the 
llth,  and  I  had  a  full  and  free  conversation  with  both  of  them. 
Agent  Carson  informed  me  that  there  were  evident  symptoms  of  dis- 
satisfaction and  hostility  on  the  part  of  one  or  two  bands  of  the  Utahs- 
living  on  Grande  river,  and  in  close  proximity  to  the  Mormon  settle- 
ments. He  is  satisfied  that  the  Mormons  have  been  active  in  their 
efforts  to  incite  these  Indians  against  the  whites,  and  that  even  now 
there  are  Mormon  emissaries  (of  the  Salt  Lake  Indians)  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  settlements  of  this  Territory.  The  Tabamuateh  and  Muateh 
Utahs  are  those  bands  which  it  is  believed  will  be  most  likely  first  to 
become  estranged  from  our  government.  These  bands  reside  near  the 
Mormon  settlements,  and  are  in  constant  communication  with  the 
Utahs  of  Salt  Lake,  whose  language  they  speak.  The  country  from 
Grand  river  to  Salt  Lake  is  an  almost  continuous  settlement  of  Utah 
Indians,  and  the  defection  of  one  band  will  be  very  likely  to  spread 
until  it  includes  the  whole  nation,  all  of  whom  are  treacherous  and 
unreliable. 

The  Capote  Utahs  are  within  the  agency  of  Drego  Archuleta.  Mr. 
Archuleta  informs  me  that  they  have  made  frequent  complaints  to 


190  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

him  of  their  meagre  allowances,  and  taunt  him  almost  daily  with  a 
reiteration  of  the  liberality  of  the  Mormon  "lata."  They  are  very 
supercilious  and  insulting. 

I  have  instructed  Agent  Carson  to  use  the  utmost  diligence  in  re- 
moving any  feeling  of  hostility  that  may  he  growing  upon  the  band 
of  his  agency.  To  accomplish  this  object,  he  has  been  directed  to  in- 
crease their  allowances,  especially  of  meats,  by  degrees,  and  to  report 
to  this  office  the  development  that  may  from  time  to  time  be  made. 
He  has  also  been  cautioned  not  to,  in  any  manner,  excite  the  Indians, 
and  likewise  to  make  no  expenditures  which  will  not  be  calculated  to 
promote  the  interest  of  the  government  in  the  present  emergency. 
Similar  instructions  have  been  issued  to  Agent  Archuleta. 

Both  Messrs.  Carson  and  Archuleta  entertain  hopes  that  they  will 
be  able  to  keep  the  Indians  of  their  agencies  neutral,  should  the  diffi- 
culty with  Utah  Territory  ripen  into  a  formal  and  active  war.  Mr. 
Carson  is  now  en  route  for  the  grounds  of  the  Tabamuateh  and 
Muateh  Utahs.  His  presence  in  their  midst  with  his  known  faculty 
of  winning  their  confidence  and  respect,  will  not  fail,  I  trust,  to  have 
a  favorable  influence  with  them. 

In  this  connexion,  it  is  proper  to  state  that  I  have  instructed 
Messrs.  Carson  and  Archuleta  to  forego  any  efforts  at  present  to  recon- 
cile the  differences  between  the  Utahs  and  the  Navajoes?  Were 
these  difficulties  adjusted  the  Utahs  would  feel  less  embarrassed,  and 
more  disposed  to  contract  "  entangling  alliances  "  with  the  Mormons, 
and  those  other  Indians  who  are  in  known  co-operation  with  Brigham 
Young.  Hence  this  course.  I  shall  likewise  direct  agent  Harley  to 
abate  his  efforts  for  the  present  to  bring  about  a  peace  between  these 
two  tribes. 

Hoping  that  the  action  of  the  undersigned  in  the  present  important 
emergency  will  meet  with  the  approbation  of  the  honorable  Commis- 
sioner, I  have  the  honor  to  remain  yours,  &c., 

S.  M.  YOST, 
Indian  Agent,  and  Acting  Superintendent  Indian  Affairs, 

Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico. 

Hon.  J.  W.  DENVER, 

Commissioner  Indian  Affairs,  Washington  City,  D.  C. 


No.  32. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  INTERIOR, 
Office  Indian  Affairs,  September  22,  1857. 

SIR:  A  letter,  dated  the  13th  of  July,  has  just  been  received  from 
Agent  Twiss,  of  the  Upper  Platte,  stating  that  a  settlement  has  been 
made  by  the  Mormons  within  the  limits  of  his  agency,  under  the  pre- 
tence of  a  contract  entered  into  by  the  Mormon  Church  to  carry  the 
mail  from  Independence  to  Salt  Lake  City.  They  took  possession  of 
the  valley  of  Deer  creek  on  the  25th  of  May,  which  lies  100  miles 
west  of  Laramie,  where  the  agent  states  he  had  located  a  band  of 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  191 

Sioux ;  have  built  houses  capable  of  accommodating  500  persons  ; 
have  ploughed  and  planted  200  acres,  and  number  about  300.  The 
agent  earnestly  calls  the  attention  of  the  department  to  this  invasion 
of  the  Indian  territory,  and  states  his  inability  to  do  anything  in  the 
premises  ;  and  suggests  that  such  steps  may  be  taken  by  the  President 
as  the  circumstances  may  in  his  judgment  require. 

For  your  information,  I  would  state  that  the  region  of  country 
stated  to  be  occupied  was  assigned  to  the  Sioux,  and  recognized  to 
belong  to  them  by  the  treaty  of  Laramie,  of  the  17th  of  September, 
1851. 

In  connexion  with  this  case,  I  would  state  the  views  which  were 
taken  by  this  office  in  that  of  a  Mr.  Jacob  Hall,  a  contractor  to  carry 
the  mails  from  Independence  to  Santa  Fe.  Mr.  Hall  stated  in  a  com- 
munication to  the  Postmaster  General,  which  was  referred  to  this 
office,  that,  as  mail  contractor  he  had  necessarily  made  improvements 
on  the  lands  of  the  Kansas  Indians,  upon  which  communication  a  re- 
port was  made  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  to  the  effect  that  while 
the  intercourse  law  gave  no  express  authority  to  citizens  of  the  United 
States  to  go  or  reside  among  the  Indian  tribes,  except  under  certain 
circumstances  specified  by  law,  yet  it  did  forbid  a  citizen  from  driving 
or  otherwise  conveying  "•  any  stock  of  horses,  mules,  or  cattle  to  range 
or  feed  on  any  land  belonging  to  an  Indian  or  Indian  tribe  without 
the  consent  of  such  tribe,"  but  that  Mr.  Hall  being  in  the  country, 
engaged  in  the  public  service,  this  office  would  be  pleased  to  do  all 
that  the  law  would  allow  to  facilitate  the  discharge  of  his  duties  and 
to  accommodate  the  Postmaster  General ;  and  so  far  as  he  confined 
himself  to  mere  residence  and  occupancy  of  the  improvements  which 
he  had  already  made,  with  the  consent  of  the  Indians,  no  difficulty 
would  be  thrown  in  his  way,  but  that  no  authority  existed  under 
which  permission  could  be  granted  to  extend  his  improvements,  make 
use  of  the  timber,  or  cultivate  lands.  This  office  was  then  requested 
by  the  Secretary  to  re-examine  the  matter  in  connexion  with  the  law 
passed  by  Congress  on  the  3d  of  March,  1855,  with  respect  to  con- 
tractors for  carrying  the  mail  through  one  of  the  Territories  west  of 
the  Mississippi,  and  reported  that,  according  to  its  construction  of  the 
provision,  u  that  each  contractor  engaged  or  to  be  engaged  in  carry- 
ing the  mails  through  any  of  the  Territories  west  of  the  Mississippi, 
shall  have  the  privilege  of  occupying  stations  at  the  rate  of  not  more 
than  one  for  every  twenty  miles  of  the  route  on  which  he  carries  a 
mail,  and  shall  have  a  pre-emption  right  therein,  when  the  same  shall 
be  brought  into  market,  to  the  extent  of  640  acres,  to  be  taken  contigu- 
ously, and  to  include  his  improvements,"  it  had  reference  only  to  those 
lands  to  which  the  Indian  title  had  been  extinguished  and  surren- 
dered to  the  United  States,  and  not  to  lands  belonging  to  tribes  to 
which  the  title  had  not  been  extinguished,  and  therefore  not  applica- 
ble to  the  case  of  Mr.  Hall,  as  his  station  was  upon  the  lands  of  the 
Kansas  Indians,  to  which  their  title  had  not  been  extinguished. 

I  have  cited  the  views  in  full  of  the  Indian  Office  in  regard  to  the 
rights  of  Mr.  Hall,  and  deem  the  same  views  applicable  in  this  in- 
stance, which  I  have  the  honor  to  submit,  together  with  a  copy  of  the 


192  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

agent's  letter  that  such  steps  may  he  taken  as  in  your  judgment  may 
he  advisible  and  proper. 

Very  respectfully,  your  ohedient  servant, 

CHARLES  E.  MIX, 

Acting  Commissioner, 
Hon.  J.  THOMPSON, 
Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


[No.  33.] 

INDIAN  AGENCY  OF  THE  UPPER  PLATTE, 

On  Haw  Hide  Creek,  July  13,  1857. 

SIR:  In  a  communication  addressed  to  the  Indian  Office,  dated 
April  last,  I  called  the  attention  of  the  department  to  the  settlements 
"being  made  within  the  boundaries  of  this  agency  by  the  "  Mormon 
Church,"  clearly  in  violation  of  law,  although  the  pretext  or  pretence 
under  which  these  settlements  are  made  is  under  cover  of  a  contract  of 
the  Mormon  Church  to  carry  the  mail  from  Independence,  Missouri, 
to  Great  Salt  Lake  City. 

On  the  25th  May,  a  large  Mormon  colony  took  possession  of  the 
valley  of  Deer  creek,  one  hundred  miles  west  of  Fort  Laramie,  and 
drove  away  a  band  of  Sioux  Indians  whom  I  had  settled  there  in  April, 
and  had  induced  them  to  plant  corn. 

I  left  that  Indian  band  on  the  23d  May  to  attend  to  matters  con- 
nected with  the  Cheyenne  band,  in  the  lower  part  of  the  agency. 

I  have  information  from  a  reliable  source  that  these  Mormons  are 
about  three  hundred  in  number,  have  ploughed  and  planted  two  hun- 
dred acres  of  prairie,  and  are  building  houses  sufficient  for  the  accom- 
modation of  five  hundred  persons,  and  have  a  large  herd  of  cattle, 
horses,  and  mules. 

I  am  persuaded  that  the  Mormon  Church  intend,  by  this  plan  thus 
partially  developed,  to  monopolize  all  of  the  trade  with  the  Indians 
and  whites  within,  or  passing  through,  the  Indian  country. 

I  respectfully  and  earnestly  call  the  attention  of  the  department  to 
this  invasion,  and  enter  my  protest  against  this  occupation  of  the  In- 
dian country,  in  force,  and  the  forcible  ejection  of  the  Indians  from  the 
place  where  I  had  settled  them. 

I  am  powerless  to  control  this  matter,  for  the  Mormons  obey  no  laws 
enacted  by  Congress.     I  would  respectfully  request  that  the  President 
will  be  pleased  to  issue  such  order  as,  in  his  wisdom  and  judgment, 
may  seem  best  in  order  to  correct  the  evil  complained  of. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

THOS.  S.    TWISS, 
Indian  Agent,  Upper  Platte. 

Hon.  J.  W.  DENVER, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  193 


No.  34. 

DEPARTMENT  or  THE  INTERIOR, 
Office  Indian  Affairs,  November  7,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  state,  for  your  information  and  considera- 
tion, that  I  have  just  received  from  Agent  Twiss  a  communication,  in 
my  opinion,  of  much  importance.  He  informs  me  that  he  had,  at  the 
date  of  his  letter,  the  15th  of  September,  just  returned  from  a  visit  to 
the  western  part  of  his  agency,  undertaken  in  consequence  of  a  rumor 
that  the  Mormons  had  been  tampering  with  the  various  Indian  tribes 
of  that  region,  and  that  he  learned  from  the  Arapahoes  that  they  had 
been  told  by  the  Mormons  that  they  were  one  people  in  customs, 
laws,  and  religion,  and  ought  to  be  more  closely  united,  as  the  Presi- 
dent was  sending  troops  to  Utah  for  the  purpose  of  dispossessing  the 
Mormons  of  their  lands,  and  when  that  was  effected  it  would  be  an 
easy  matter  to  dispossess  the  several  Indian  tribes ;  and  he  was  further 
informed  by  the  Arapahoes  that  they  had  also  held  "  talks"  with  tha 
Snake,  Crow,  Flathead,  and  Nez  Perce  tribes. 

The  agent  advises  that  some  one  should  be  sent  to  all  the  tribes 
along  th2  base  of  the  Kocky  mountains,  to  the  north  and  northeast  of 
Utah,  for  the  purpose  of  counteracting  the  probable  ill  effect  of  these 
evil  communications,  and  proposes  to  undertake  the  performance  of 
the  service  himself  this  winter,  and  estimates  that  the  outfit  and 
necessary  presents  to  secure  the  proposed  object  will  not  exceed  five 
thousand  dollars. 

I  agree  with  the  agent  as  to  the  expediency  of  the  measure,  and 
would  recommend  that  he  be  selected  and  instructed,  at  once,  to  act 
in  the  premises. 

I  send  up  herewith  a  copy  of  the  agent's  letter,  and  would  respect- 
fully advise  that  it  be  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  President. 

As  the  policy  of  employing  Indian  volunteers  may  form  the  subject 
of  a  future  communication  from  me,  I  beg  leave  to  direct  your  atten- 
tion to  the  remark  of  Mr.  Twiss,  that  "  the  Arapahoes  are  true  to  the 
government,  and  will  cheerfully  volunteer  to  accompany  the  troops  to. 
Utah,  if  their  services  are  required." 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  W.  DENVER, 

Commissioner* 

Hon.  J.  THOMPSON, 

Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


No.  35. 

OFFICE  SUPERINTENDENT  INDIAN  AFFAIRS, 

St.  Louis j  November  2,  185*7. 

SIR  :  1  have  the  honor  to  enclose,  for  the  consideration  of  the  de- 
partment, a  letter  of  15th  September,  ultimo,  from  Agent  Twiss,  re- 
porting that  the  Mormons  have  been  recently  tampering  with  the 
H.  Ex.  Doc.  71 13 


194  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

Arapahoes  and  other  tribes,  with  a  view  to  induce  them  to  join  in  a 
league  against  the  United  States,  and  suggesting  the  idea  of  sending 
an  agent  to  the  tribes  scattered  along  the  base  of  the  mountains,  for 
the  purpose  of  securing  their  allegiance. 

Very  respectfully,  I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  HAVERTY, 
Superintendent  Indian  Affairs. 
Hon.  J.  W.  DENVER, 

Commissioner  Indian  Affairs. 


No.  36. 

INDIAN  AGENCY  OF  THE  UPPER  PLATTE, 
On  Raw  Hide  Creek.,  September  15,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  just  returned  to  this  post  from  a  visit  to  the  western  part 
of  the  agency,  undertaken  in  consequence  of  reports  having  reached 
me  that  the  Mormons  had  been  tampering  with  various  bands  of  In- 
dians within  and  bordering  upon  the  western  part  of  this. agency. 
The  chiefs  of  the  Arapahoe  band  informed  me  that  the  Mormons,  who 
commenced  a  settlement  of  Deer  creek,  this  side  of  the  North  Platte 
bridge,  the  circumstances  of  which  I  reported  to  the  department  in 
July  last,  have  held  "  talks"  with  them,  and  stated  that  the  Mor- 
mons and  the  Arapahoes  were  one  people  in  customs,  laivs,  and  religion, 
and  ought  to  be  more  closely  united,  as  their  "  Great  Father  "  was 
sending  troops  to  Utah  to  take  away  the  country  from  the  Mormons ; 
and  when  this  was  accomplished,  it  would  be  an  easy  matter  to  take 
all  of  the  country  belonging  to  the  various  bands  of  Indians. 

These  Mormons  represented  to  the  chiefs  that  they  had  already  held 
"  talks"  with,  and  engaged,  by  giving  presents,  the  Snake,  Crow, 
Flathead,  and  Nez  Perce  tribes  to  join  them.  They  gave  no  presents 
to  the  Arapahoes,  but  made  large  and  liberal  promises,  and  concluded 
by  saying  they  were  planting  corn,  and  would  soon  have  plenty  to 
give  all  of  the  Arapahoes  and  others  who  might  come  to  their  post. 

I  have  sent  runners  to  the  Snake  and  Crow  tribes  to  meet  me  in 
council  at  the  North  Platte  bridge  in  October,  and  I  have  no  doubt, 
by  judicious  advice  and  timely  admonition,  and  a  few  inconsiderable 
presents,  I  may  be  able  to  hold  them  true  to  their  allegiance. 

The  Arapahoes  are  true  to  the  government,  and  will  cheerfully 
volunteer  to  accompany  the  troops  to  Utah,  if  their  services  are  re- 
quired. 

If  the  department  should  deem  it  advisable  to  send  an  agent  to  all 
of  the  tribes  along  the  base  of  the  Eocky  mountains  to  the  north  and 
northeast  of  Utah,  I  should  be  pleased  to  perform  the  duty,  and  make 
the  journey  during  the  ensuing  winter. 

I  have  strong  reasons  for  believing  that  such  an  expedition  would 
result  in  permanent  advantages  and  good  to  the  government  and  the 
Indian  tribes,  compared  with  the  expenses,  which  need  not,  in  outfit 
and  suitable  presents  to  the  chiefs,  exceed  five  thousand  dollars. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  195 

I  request  that  the  subject-matter  of  this  communication  may  belaid 
before  the  honorable  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

THOMAS  S.  TWISS, 

Indian  Agent,  Upper  Platte. 
Colonel  GUMMING, 

Superintendent  Indian  Affairs. 


No.  37. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 

November  9,  1857. 

SIR  :  Your  report  of  the  7th  instant,  covering  copy  of  a  communi- 
cation from  Agent  Twiss,  in  reference  to  the  attempts  of  the  Mormons 
to  seduce  from  their  allegiance  several  of  the  tribes  within  his  agency, 
has  been  received  and  considered. 

Kegarding  it  as  of  great  importance,  in  the  present  contingency, 
that  any  symptoms  of  disaffection  among  the  wild  tribes  in  the  vicinity 
of  Fort  Laramie  should  be  promptly  suppressed,  I  concur  with  you  in 
approving  the  suggestion  of  Agent  Twiss,  that  an  agent  should  be 
sent  to  all  the  tribes  along  the  base  of  the  Rocky  mountains  to  the 
north  and  northeast  of  Utah  ;  and  it  appears  to  me  that  Agent  Twiss 
is  the  most  proper  person  who  could  be  selected  for  the  performance 
of  this  duty. 

You  will,  therefore,  take  steps  to  supply  Agent  Twiss,  at  once,  with 
the  means  of  carrying  out  his  suggestion,  and  issue  to  him  such  in- 
structions as  you  may  deem  best  fitted  to  secure  the  object  in  view. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  THOMPSON,  Secretary. 

Hon.  JAMES  W.  DENVER, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 


No.  38. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 
Office  Indian  Affairs,  November  11,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  2d 
instant,  transmitting  one  from  Agent  Twiss,  in  which  the  information 
is  communicated  that  the  Mormons  have  been  tampering  with  the 
various  Indian  tribes  within  and  bordering  upon  the  western  part  of 
his  agency,  especially  the  Arapahoes. 

I  have  conferred  with  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  and  he  agrees 
with  me  as  to  the  propriety  of  adopting  the  course  advised  by  the 
agent.  I  have,  therefore,  to  direct  that  you  immediately  inform  Mr. 
Twiss  that  the  measures  already  taken  by  him  meet  with  my  appro- 


196  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

bation,  and  he  is  instructed  to  visit,  at  the  earliest  possible  period, 
all  of  the  Indian  tribes  along  the  base  of  the  Rocky  mountains  to  the 
north  and  northeast  of  Utah,  mentioned  in  his  letter,  or  such  of  them 
as  may  be  advisable,  and  to  use  such  means  as  to  him  may  seem  dis- 
creet and  proper  to  obviate  the  effects  of  any  ill  advice  which  they 
may  receive  from  these  misguided  or  badly  disposed  persons,  by  con- 
vincing them  of  the  folly  of  doing  otherwise  than  remaining  upon 
friendly  terms  with  the  government,  by  persuading  them  of  the  inter- 
est which  the  government  has  in  their  welfare  and  happiness,  and  by 
exposing  the  entirely  selfish  and  bad  ends  which  they  are  invited  to 
assist  in  accomplishing,  but  which  can  never  be  carried  out. 

For  discharging  this  duty,  the  agent  is  hereby  authorized  to  draw 
upon  this  office  for  an  amount  not  exceeding,  in  any  event,  five  thou- 
sand dollars,  to  be  used  in  defraying  his  expenses,  and  the  purchase 
and  transportation  of  presents  intended  to  conciliate  and  to  inspire 
feelings  of  friendship.  And  for  the  expenditure  of  the  amount  that 
he  may  draw  for,  or  any  part  thereof,  vouchers  must  be  furnished 
where  practicable,  and  where  not  practicable  his  certificate  upon  honor 
must  be  given. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  W.  DENVEK,  Commissioner. 

JOHN  HAVERTY,  Esq., 

Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 


No.  39. 

INDIAN  AGENCY  OF  THE  UPPER  PLATTE, 

On  Deer  Creek,  November  7",  1857. 

SIR:  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt,  on  the  1st  instant,  of  a  let- 
ter from  the  department,  dated  July  25,  granting  me  leave  of  absence, 
provided  the  affairs  of  the  agency  would  permit. 

In  consequence  of  reliable  information  coming  into  my  possession 
as  to  the  fact  that  the  "  Mormons"  had  been  holding  "talks"  with 
the  Indian  chiefs  of  the  Mountain  tribes,  the  plain  object  of  which 
was  to  induce  the  chiefs  to  join  the  "  Mormons"  in  hostilities  against 
the  United  States  government,  I  deem  it  my  duty  to  remain  at  my 
post,  in  order  to  watch,  and,  if  possible,  detect  and  baffle  any  future 
efforts  or  movements  that  may  be  made  in  tampering  with  the  alle- 
giance of  the  Indian  tribes. 

I  am  under  the  belief  that  a  wide-spread  conspiracy  was  set  on  foot 
last  spring,  and  Mormons  were  sent  to  all  of  the  Indian  tribes  as  far 
north  as  Washington  Territory. 

I  would  respectfully  suggest,  and  urgently  press  upon  the  attention 
of  the  department,  the  advantages,  if  not  the  absolute  necessity,  of 
sending  a  "  special  agent"  to  those  tribes  along  the  base  of  the  Rocky 
mountains  reported  to  have  been  visited  by  the  Mormons ;  and  if  it 
should  prove  true  that  such  is  the  fact,  that  the  agent  may,  by  timely 


UTAH   EXPEDITION  197 

admonitions  and  warnings  to  the  Indian  chiefs,  hold  them  true  to 
their  allegiance. 

Very  respectfully,  your  ohedient  servant, 

THOMAS  S.  TWISS, 
Indian  Agent,   Upper  Platte. 
Hon.  J.  W.  DENVER, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 


No.  40. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR, 
Office  Indian  Affairs,  January  11,  1858. 

SIR:  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  7th  of 
November,  saying  that,  in  consequence  of  the  condition  of  the  affairs 
of  your  agency,  you  will  not  avail  yourself  of  the  conditional  leave 
of  ahsence  accorded  to  you  by  the  department  on  the  25th  of  July, 
and  pressing  upon  the  attention  of  the  department  the  necessity  of 
sending  a  special  agent  among  the  tribes  residing  along  the  base  of 
the  Kocky  mountains  to  counteract  the  effect  which  the  Mormons  may 
have  produced  upon  their  allegiance. 

For  fear  that  you  may  not,  from  any  cause,  have  received  directions 
in  this  matter,  which  Superintendent  Haverty  was  instructed  on  the 
llth  of  November  last  to  give  you,  in  pursuance  of  the  intelligence 
communicated  by  you  as  a  cautionary  measure,  I  herewith  send  you  a 
copy  of  the  letter  addressed  to  him,  in  which  you  will  find  the  views 
of  the  department  and  the  part  authorized  to  be  taken  by  you. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

CHAELES  E.  MIX, 

Acting  Commissioner. 

THOMAS  S.  TWISS,  Esq.,  Agent, 

Indian  Agency  of  the  Upper  Platte,  Deer  Creek, 

Fort  Laramie  Post  Office. 


No.  41. 

ST.  PAUL,  MINNESOTA,  February  2,  1858. 

MY  DEAR  SIR  :  The  Sioux  and  Chippewa  Indians  have  had  intimation 
that  they  would  be  soon  ordered  to  "  Washington;"  in  fact,  that  the  order 
was  under  way  ;  but  as  yet  nothing  has  been  received.  Pardon  me  if  I 
say  that  I  hope  the  Indian  department  will  not  change  their  inten- 
tions on  that  subject ;  for,  believe  me,  the  effect  will  be  a  bad  one,  espe- 
cially on  the  Sioux,  who  look  to  the  matter  as  fixed  about  their  being 
ordered  in,  and  more  certainly  as  they  have  deprived  their  families  of 
money  to  enable  them  to  do  so,  and  would  look  upon  it  as  a  wish,  on 
the  part  of  the  government,  to  keep  them  in  the  dark  about  their 
affairs.  You  have  learned  enough  about  Indians  to  understand  how 
they  reason,  and  there  is  no  doubt  had  we  had  any  other  of  their  old 


198  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

agents  or  superintendents  at  the  head  of  affairs  here  last  summer,  except 
yourself,  the  fortunes  of  Minnesota  would  have  heen  in  a  pretty  position. 
Do,  then,  insist  upon  their  coming  in — it  is  necessary,  helieve  me. 
"Mormon"  tobacco  has  heen  sent  from  tribe  to  tribe  till  it  reached 
the  Teeton  Sioux,  and  from  band  to  baud  to  the  hands  of  our  Sisseton 
and  Wah-pay-ton  and  "Crow"  was  sent  for  to  Yellow  Medicine,  and 
offered  to  him  to  smoke.  Of  course,  he  declined,  as  well  as  the  Sisse- 
tons  and  Wah-pay-tons,  who  also  refused.  This  may  be  an  Indian 
story,  but  it  comes  very  straight  to  me,  and  at  least  shows  the  discon- 
tented feelings  that  exist.  This  report  I  heard  before  the  news  reached 
here  of  the  visit  of  the  "  Shayienes"  to  Salt  Lake  City.  The  policy 
of  showing  the  strength  of  the  United  States  to  our  border  Indians  is 
a  good  one,  depend  on  it.  Excuse  the  liberty  I  take,  but  the  many  acts 
of  kindness  I  have  received  from  you  instigate  me  to  write  to  you  freely. 
Mr.  Sears  tells  me  you  will  have  me  ordered  to  Washington  about  this 
Fort  Snelling  case;  I  am  posted  on  that  question.  With  many 
thanks  for  that  consideration ,  as  well  as  many  others  already  received, 
I  remain,  sir,  your  obedient  servant  and  friend, 

WM.  HENRY  FORBES. 
Major  W.  J.  CULLEN, 
Superintendent  Northern  Superintendence/,  at  Washington  City. 


No.  42. 

HEADQUARTERS  OF  ARMY,  FOR  U.  T. 
Camp  Scott,  Green  River  County,  December  143  185*7. 

DEAR  SIR  :  In  compliance  with  a  regulation  of  your  department, 
making  it  the  duty  of  superintendents  to  report  annually,  I  submit  the 
following  report : 

Having  been  in  the  Territory  of  Utah  but  a  few  weeks,  I  have  conse- 
quently but  little  to  report.  I  arrived  at  this  camp  the  latter  part  of 
last  month,  and  was  informed  by  Colonel  Johnston,  the  commanding 
officer,  that  the  army  would  go  into  winter  quarters  at  this  place.  All 
the  civil  officers  are  stopping  here,  and  I  am  obliged  to  do  the  same. 

I  have  been  busily  engaged  in  erecting  a  cabin  in  some  degree  suita- 
ble for  an  office  and  dwelling,  and  will  have  it  finished  in  a  few  days 

"Little  Soldier,"  chief  ot  the  small  tribe  of  Sho-sho-ne Indians,  vis- 
ited me  last  Tuesday,  and  remained  in  camp  two  days.  This  chief  had 
with  him  several  of  his  men,  and  also  an  Indian  named  Ben  Simons, 
formerly  of  the  Delaware  tribe,  but  for  the  last  twenty  years  a  trader 
among  the  Indians  of  this  Territory.  Ben  speaks  most  of  the  lan- 
guages of  this  region,  and  English  sufficiently  well  to  answer  for  an 
interpreter. 

"Little  Soldier's"  tribe  is  at  present  encamped  in  Weber  Valley,  on 
the  road-  leading  from  this  camp  to  Salt  Lake,  consequently  in  close 
proximity  to  the  Mormons,  and  in  a  position  to  render  essential  service 
to  the  Mormons,  should  they  be  so  disposed  Little  Soldier  assured 
me,  however,  that  they  have  always  kept  aloof  from  Mormon  delusions, 
and  maintained  strict  integrity  towards  the  United  States  and 
any  of  her  citizens,  who  have  travelled  through  his  country.  I  have 


UTAH   EXPEDITION  199 

satisfied  myself  that  they  have  not  deceived  me  ;  inasmuch  as  this 
trihe  have  not  acceded  to  the  wishes  of  the  Mormons,  and  as  an  in- 
ducement for  a  continuance  of  friendship,  I  have  given  them  some  pres- 
ents, for  which  they  were  very  thankful  and  much  pleased. 

I  herewith  transmit  to  you  the  report  of  agent  Dr.  Hurt.  I  have 
examined  the  report  carefully,  and  have  talked  with  men  of  unques- 
tionable integrity  who  have  seen  the  Indian  farms,  and,  so  far  as  I 
have  been  able  to  investigate  the  matter,  justice  compels  me  to  bear 
favorable  testimony  to  the  policy  of  Dr. *  Hurt,  in  introducing  agri- 
culture among  these  tribes.  Dr  Hurt  has  undoubtedly  given  his  entire 
time  and  energies  to  improve  the  condition  of  the  tribes  in  his  neigh- 
borhood, and  has,  by  his  devotion  to  their  interests,  endeared  himself 
much  to  them,  and  also  stimulated  other  tribes,  who  have  come  many 
miles  to  visit  these  farms,  and  are  asking  instructions.  Dr,  Hurt  has 
accomplished  all  this  without  any  assistance  from  those  around  him, 
but  in  many  instances  had  to  encounter  obstacles  thrown  in  his  way. 
For  reasons  for  which  Dr.  Hurt  abandoned  the  farms,  I  refer  you  to 
his  letter  to  Colonel  Johnston. 

Permanently  locating  the  Indian  tribes  of  this  Territory,  and  the  in- 
troduction among  them  of  agricultural  and  mechanical  pursuits,  shall 
be  my  chief  aim. 

I  remain,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.    FORNEY, 
Sup't  of  Indian  Affairs,  U.  T. 

General  J.  W.  DENVER, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 


No.  43. 

FORT  BRIDGER,  UTAH,  December  4,  1857. 

SIR  :  In  submitting  an  annual  report  of  the  condition  of  Indian 
affairs  in  Utah,  it  will  be  presumed  that  my  observations  have  been 
limited  to  some  particular  tribe  or  tribes,  or  to  certain  geographical 
boundaries,  as  others  have  been  engaged  in  the  service  in  this  Terri- 
tory besides  myself ;  but  the  peculiar  method  of  conducting  the  ser- 
vice in  this  superintendency  may  justify  a  more  general  view  of  the 
subject. 

So  far  as  personal  observations  enable  me  to  speak,  there  is  less 
discontent,  less  destitution,  and  a  greater  disposition  to  good  order 
than  I  have  known  since  the  commencement  of  my  official  service  in 
the  Territory. 

These  observations,  however,  do  not  extend  to  those  distant  bands 
in  the  western  and  extreme  southern  portions  of  the  Territory,  conse- 
quently I  can  say  nothing  in  regard  to  them  upon  better  authority 
than  that  of  rumor.  It  is  currently  reported  here  that  the  Snake 
Diggers,  of  the  Humboldt  and  Goose  creek  countries,  have  spent  the 
season,  as  usual,,  in  murdering  and  robbing  the  emigrant  trains  en 
route  to  California  and  Oregon. 


200  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

In  my  report  of  September,  1856,  having  spent  a  great  portion  of 
the  spring  and  summer  seasons  among  them,  I  was  enabled  to  treat 
more  at  length  of  the  character,  condition,  and  state  of  feeling  of  the 
various  tribes  of  these  very  degraded  people,  to  which  I  must  refer 
you  for  particulars,  as  I  presume  their  leading  characteristics  have 
not  materially  changed  since  that  time. 

My  attention  during  the  season  has  been  directed  more  particularly 
to  the  different  bands  of  the  Utahs  and  Snakes  proper  ;  especially  the 
former,  with  whom  I  have  lived  almost  exclusively  since  the  1st  of 
January  last,  and  devoted  myself  diligently  in  trying  to  induce  them 
to  cultivate  the  soil,  and  in  endeavoring  to  instil  into  their  benighted 
minds  a  knowledge  of  the  arts  of  peace. 

With  what  degree  of  success  these  efforts  have  been  attended,  it  is, 
perhaps,  impossible  for  me  to  speak  at  present.  If  in  any  permanent 
degree  their  wandering  feet  have  been  diverted  from  the  paths  of  those 
natural  or  inborn  national  views  which  point  with  so  much  certainty 
to  their  final  extermination,  it  is  to  the  future  that  we  must  look  for 
its  development.  With  a  majority  of  the  wild  tribes  it  is  useless  to 
expect  anything  like  a  permanent  change  in  the  present  generation, 
To  the  future,  then,  we  must  turn  our  anxious  thoughts,  and  realize 
in  anticipation  the  rewards  of  the  toilings  and  care  of  the  philanthro- 
pist. In  the  spring  of  1856  I  established  there  Indian  settlements  for 
the  benefit  of  those  bands  of  the  Utah  and  Pah  Vante  Indians  who 
claim  the  lands  now  occupied  by  the  white  settlements.  At  each  of 
those  localities  I  have  erected  buildings  suitable  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  a  few  white  laborers,  and  for  the  storing  of  the  crops,  farming 
implements,  &c.,  and  assisted  the  chiefs  and  principal  men  in  build- 
ing suitable  huts  for  themselves  and  families. 

During  the  present ^year  a  small  band  of  very  degraded  Utahs, 
known  as  the  Sanfritches,  have  been  located  on  the  headwaters  of 
Sanfritch  creek,  as  also  a  small  band  of  Utahs  and  Pintes,  under  a 
chief  named  Amrnon,  on  Beaver  creek,  in  Beaver  county  ;  the  latter, 
however,  with  but  little  trouble  or  expense,  except  to  supply  the  chief 
with  a  yoke  of  cattle  to  plough  his  land  with. 

For  an  estimate  of  the  number  of  acres  had  under  cultivation  at  each 
of  these  settlements  this  season,  I  must  refer  to  iny  letter  of  the  30th 
June,  to  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  a  copy  of  which  is  here- 
with transmitted. 

No  further  improvements  have  been  made  since  that  time,  and  only 
so  much  white  labor  has  been  employed  as  appeared  indispensable  to 
assist  the  natives  in  maturing  and  harvesting  their  abundant  crops, 
an  estimate  of  which  is  also  transmitted  herewith,  together  with  a  list 
of  the  property  at  each  of  these  settlements,  with  an  estimate  of  the 
value  of  the  same. 

The  amount  of  grain,  vegetables,  and  forage  produced  at  these  set- 
tlements this  season  is  deemed  amply  sufficient,  not  only  to  supply 
the  wants  of  those  bands  who  have  made  permanent  abodes  thereon, 
but  also  to  furnish  the  means  of  subsistence  temporarily  for  the  more 
populous  bands  outside  of  the  white  settlements,  who  are  occasionally 
reduced  to  the  most  extreme  state  of  destitution,  and  whose  annual 
visits  among  the  white  inhabitants  have  hitherto  been  a  source  of  great 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  201 

trouble  and  expense.  One  of  these  pilgrimages  was  made  into  Utah 
county  this  season  by  those  bands  of  the  Utahs  who  claim  the  exten- 
sive country  east  of  the  Wah-satch  mountains  as  their  homes. 

Those  starving  creatures  had  evidently  two  objects  in  their  visit : 
first,  to  search  for  food ;  second,  to  see  if  all  they  had  heard  of  their 
brethren  in  the  valley  having  gone  to  work  and  had  plenty  to  eat  were 
true  ;  and  though  they  appeared  agreeably  surprised  to  witness  with 
their  own  eyes,  at  least  in  part,  the  truth  of  what  they  had  heard, 
their  visit  was  not  by  any  means  a  pleasant  one  to  myself;  for  it  not 
only  retarded  the  progress  of  our  work  by  the  renewal  of  vicious  and 
ill  practices  among  the  boys  about  the  farms,  but  by  their  constant 
and  pressing  importunities  for  the  means  of  subsistence,  with  which 
it  was  almost  entirely  impossible  for  me  to  supply  them,  as  I  had 
already  exhausted  the  appropriation  for  the  fiscal  year. 

It  is  due,  however,  to  the  Mormon  community  to  admit  that  these 
wants  were  greatly  mitigated  by  the  liberal  contributions  of  flour  and 
other  articles  of  food,  made  under  the  directions  of  their  Indian  mis- 
sionary enterprise,  whose  agents  were  unusually  active  during  the 
past  season. 

The  plan  of  operating  under  this  missionary  system  is  quite  peculiar 
to  Mormonism ;  and  perhaps  the  most  objectionable  feature  in  it  is 
their  inordinate  desire  to  court  the  favor  and  alliance  of  the  natives 
to  the  exclusion  and  prejudice  of  all  other  communities ;  and  yielding 
too  far  to  this  disposition,  not  only  tempt  themselves  with  a  violation 
of  the  laws  of  the  country,  but  actually  tempt  the  Indians  to  take 
advantage  of  their  position,  which  they  seem  well  to  understand  and 
appreciate,  and  tax  them  with  a  thousand  annoyances  that  might  oth- 
erwise be  obviated.  At  one  time  during  the  season  I  was  inclined  to 
think  that,  with  a  little  improvement,  this  system  would  be  quite  suffi- 
cient to  subsist  the  Indians  without  the  necessity  of  any  exertions  on 
their  part  whatever.  Unfortunately,  these  people  have  views  peculiar 
to  themselves,  and  interests  separate  and  distinct  from  all  other  com- 
munities, and  which  are  paramount  to  all  other  considerations,  even 
the  laws  of  the  country  not  excepted;  and  these  missionaries  have 
objects  to  accomplish,  for  which  they  labor  continually,  regardless  of 
costs,  how  far  soever  they  may  fail  of  their  attainment. 

In  confirmation  of  these  assertions,  a  mass  of  testimony  might  be 
adduced,  but  would,  perhaps,  be  superfluous  at  present.  The  tone  of 
the  accompanying  letter,  however,  by  one  of  those  missionaries  is  not 
without  some  significance  upon  this  point.  Brigham  Young  has  fre- 
quently boasted  of  his  power  and  influence  among  the  Indians,  and 
the  daring  position  that  he  now  openly  assumes  towards  the  govern- 
ment and  the  people  of  the  United  States  renders  argument  unneces- 
sary to  show  the  bearing  of  that  influence. 

Many  persons  who  have  passed  to  and  from  California  through 
Utah  will,  no  doubt,  remember  the  words  of  caution  which  the  Mor- 
mon people  volunteer  to  offer  them,  after  partly  inquiring  what  route 
they  expect  to  take.  "  Look  out,  the  Indians  are  very  bad  on  that 
road."  Again,  "  If  you  ain't  careful,  the  Indians  will  clean  you  all 
out  before  you  get  through/' 

There  is  a  degree  of  significance  in  such  expressions  which  I  shall 


202  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

endeavor  to  illustrate  by  the  insertion  of  a  few  incidents  worthy  of 
more  public  notoriety. 

About  the  3d  of  February  last,  two  gentlemen,  John  Peltro  and 
John  Tobin,  reached  the  Indian  farm  on  Spanish  fork,  in  company 
with  several  other  persons  en  route  for  California. 

Mr.  Tobin  had  recently  apostatized  from  the  church,  and  was  leaving 
behind  a  young  wife.  They  had  not  left  the  farm  till  two  other  per- 
sons, (Brigham  Young,  jr.,  son  of  his  excellency,  and  a  young  man 
named  Taylor,)  overtook  them,  and  all  remained  over  night  at  my 
house,  and  all  saddled  their  horses  to  leave  at  the  same  time  the  next 
morning.  Mr.  Peltro  and  his  party,  however,  started  first,  but  in  a 
familiar  tone  asked  Young  and  Taylor  if  they  were  going  the  same 
road.  I  heard  Young  say  in  a  low  voice,  "  we  will  overtake  you  soon 
enough." 

Soon  after  these  parties  left,  it  was  a  common  talk  among  the  people 
that  the  Indians  were  very  hostile  on  the  southern  road  ;  and  as  if  to 
forestall  the  facts,  it  was  rumored,  before  Mr.  Peltro  and  his  party  had 
time  to  reach  the  southern  settlements,  that  they  had  all  been  killed 
by  the  Indians. 

On  the  7th  day  of  March  it  was  reported  by  the  mail  carrier  that 
they  had  been  attacked,  some  time  in  the  latter  part  of  February,  on  the 
Bio  Santa  Clara,  by  a  band  of  the  Piede  Indians,  who  fired  upon  them 
in  the  night  while  asleep,  and  robbed  them  of  their  property.  Tobin 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  face,  a  ball  entering  his  cheek  and  pass- 
ing out  under  the  ear  on  the  opposite  side.  Two  others  of  the  party 
were  also  wounded,  but  not  so  seriously.  It  is  also  reported  by  the 
mail  party  that  their  blankets  were  literally  covered  with  navy-sized 
pistol  balls,  and  the  Utah  Indians  are  bold  in  asserting  that  "the 
Piedes  had  nothing  to  do  with  it,"  and  this  opinion  is  also  entertained 
by  many  white  persons  in  the  valley  who  dare  not  speak  out. 

On  the  10th  day  of  September  last,  George  W.  Hancock,  a  merchant 
in  the  town  of  Payson,  came  to  the  Indian  settlement  to  look  at  some 
fat  cattle  that  I  proposed  selling,  and,  in  course  of  conversation,  said 
he  had  learned  that  the  California  emigrants  on  the  southern  route 
had  got  themselves  into  a  very  serious  difficulty  with  the  Piedes,  who 
had  given  them  to  understand  that  they  could  not  pass  through  their 
country,  and  on  attempting  to  disregard  this  injunction,  found  them- 
selves surrounded  by  the  Indians  and  compelled  to  seek  shelter  behind 
their  wagons.  He  said  he  had  learned  these  facts  from  an  express- 
man who  passed  his  house  that  morning  with  a  message  from  the 
Indians  to  President  Young,  inquiring  of  him  what  they  must  do  with 
the  Americans.  The  expressman  had  been  allowed  one  hundred  con- 
secutive hours  in  which  to  perform  the  trip  of  nearly  three  hundred 
miles.,  and  return,  which  Mr.  H.  felt  confident  he  would  do. 

On  the  day  following,  one  of  the  Utah  Indians,  who  had  been  absent 
for  some  days,  gathering  pine  nuts,  west  of  theSevier  lake,  returned, 
and  said  that  the  Mormons  had  killed  all  the  emigrants.  He  said  he 
learned  this  news  from  a  band  of  the  Piedes,  but  could  not  tell  where 
the  fight  occurred,  or  how  many  had  been  killed.  One  of  the  Utahs, 
named  Spoods,  came  to  the  farm  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  having 
travelled  all  night,  and  also  confirmed  the  report  of  the  difficulty 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  203 

between  the  emigrants  and  the  Piedes,  but  stated  that  when  his 
brother  Amman  (chief,  who  lives  in  the  Piede  country)  went  to  Iron 
country  to  persuade  the  Piedes  to  leave  the  road,  the  bishop  told  him 
that  he  had  no  business  with  the  Piedes,  and  had  better  leave,  where- 
upon an  altercation  arose  between  the  bishop  and  the  chief. 

Spoods  thought  that  the  Piedes  had  been  set  upon  the  emigrants  by 
the  Mormons. 

It  soon  began  to  be  talked  among  the  employes  at  the  farm  that  all 
the  emigrants  on  the  southern  road  had  been  killed  by  the  Piede 
Indians,  and  the  report  was  confirmed  by  several  other  persons  who 
visited  the  farm  ;  but  the  Indians  insisted  that  Mormons,  and  not 
Indians,  had  killed  the  Americans. 

This  affair  had  become  so  much  the  subject  of  conversation  that  on 
the  17th  I  started  an  Indian  boy,  named  Pete,  who  speaks  the  English 
language  quite  fluently,  with  instructions  to  proceed  to  Sioux  county, 
on  a  secret  route,  and  learn  from  the  Piedes,  if  possible,  and  also  from 
the  Utahs,  what  the  nature  of  the  difficulty  was,  and  who  were  the 
instigators  of  it.  He  returned  on  the  23d,  and  reported  that  he  only 
went  to  Ainmon's  village,  in  Beaver  county,  where  he  met  a  large 
band  of  the  Piedes,  who  had  just  returned  from  Sioux  county.  They 
acknowledged  having  participated  in  the  massacre  of  the  emigrants, 
but  said  that  the  Mormons  persuaded  them  into  it.  They  said  that 
about  ten  or  eleven  sleeps  ago  John  D.  Lee  came  to  their  village  and 
told  them  that  Americans  were  very  bad  people,  and  always  made  a 
rule  to  kill  Indians  whenever  they  had  a  chance.  He  said,  also,  that 
they  had  often  killed  the  Mormons,  who  were  friends  to  the  Indians. 
He  then  prevailed  on  them  to  attack  the  emigrants,  who  were  then 
passing  through  the  country,  (about  one  hundred  in  number,)  and 
promised  them  that  if  they  were  not  strong  enough  to  whip  them,  the 
Mormons  would  help  them.  The  Piedes  made  the  attack,  but  were 
repulsed  on  three  different  occasions,  when  Lee  and  the  bishop  of 
Cedar  city,  with  a  number  of  Mormons,  approached  the  camp  of  the 
emigrants  under  pretext  of  trying  to  settle  the  difficulty,  and  with 
lying,  seductive  overtures,  succeeded  in  inducing  the  emigrants  to 
lay  down  their  weapons  of  defence  and  admit  them  and  their  savage 
allies  inside  of  their  breastworks,  when  the  work  of  destruction  began, 
and,  in  the  language  of  the  unsophisticated  boy,  they  cut  all  of  their 
throats  but  afeiu  that  started  to  run  off,  and  the  Piedes  shot  them.  He 
also  stated  that  there  were  some  fifteen  or  sixteen  small  children  that 
were  not  killed,  and  were  in  charge  of  the  bishop.  Lee  and  the  bishop 
took  all  the  stock,  (over  a  thousand  head,)  as  also  a  large  amount  of 
money.  The  Mormon  version  of  this  affair  is,  that  the  Piedes  went 
to  the  emigrant  camp  and  asked  for  meat,  and  they  gave  them  beef 
with  strychnine  upon  it ;  and  when  Brighain learned  this  fact,  he  sent 
word  back  to  them  '•  to  do  with  the  Americans  as  they  thought,  proper." 
But  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  learn  that  this  strychnine  had  killed 
any  of  the  Indians,  or  even  made  them  sick.  A  report  also  reached 
the  Indian  farm  on  Spanish  fork,  about  the  15th  of  September,  that 
the  Snake  Indians,  under  a  chief  named  Little  Soldier,  had  attacked 
an  emigrant  named  Squires,  from  Missouri,  who  was  camped  near 
Ogden,  and  driven  off  all  his  cattle,  (over  four  hundred,)  together 


204  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

with  all  the  mules  and  horses  belonging  to  him.  But  the  Utahs  made 
no  hesitation  in  asserting  that  the  Mormons  took  the  stock  themselves, 
and  that  they  had  learned  all  about  it  from  some  Gosh-Utes,  who  live 
in  Rush  valley.  In  confirmation  of  the  truth  of  this  report  of  the 
Utahs,  I  learned  a  few  days  ago  from  Ben  Simon,  a  Delaware  Indian, 
who  lives  with  the  Snakes  in  Weber  valley,  that  some  time  in  the 
early  part  of  September  Dimie  B.  Huntingdon  (interpreter  for  Brig- 
ham  Young)  and  Bishop  West,  of  Ogden,  came  to  the  Snake  village, 
and  told  the  Indians  that  Brigham  wanted  them  to  run  off  the  emi- 
grants' cattle,  and  if  they  would  do  so  they  might  have  them  as  their 
own.  Simon  says  the  Snake  chief  consulted  him  about  the  propriety 
of  undertaking  the  theft,  and  he  advised  them  to  have  nothing  to  do 
with  the  cattle,  which  course  they  concluded  to  adopt ;  but  Hunting- 
ton  and  West  insisted  on  their  taking  the  stock,  whereupon  the  chiefs 
told  them  that  they  did  not  want  it,  and  if  the  Mormons  wanted  it 
let  them  go  and  get  it  themselves,  and  so  the  interview  ended. 
Simon  thinks  that  if  any  of  the  Indians  had  anything  to  do  with  it, 
they  were  hired  by  the  Mormons,  and  says  he  knows  that  the  Mormons 
got  the  stock. 

It  may  be  objected  by  the  incredulous  that  these  charges  are  too 
vague  and  uncertain,  and  deficient  in  point  of  names  and  dates  ;  in 
answer  to  which  I  would  say  that  the  commission  of  these  crimes 
needs  no  proof,  their  existence  being  generally  admitted.  The  only 
questions  to  be  determined  are,  Who  instigated  them  ?  and  whose 
testimony  is  deserving  the  most  credit,  the  Mormons'  or  the  Indians'  ? 
And  under  existing  circumstances  I  am  free  to  say  that  I  prefer  yield- 
ing my  credulence  to  the  more  unsophisticated.  I  have  frequently 
been  told  by  the  chiefs  of  the  Utahs  that  Brigham  Young  was  trying 
to  bribe  them  to  join  in  rebellion  against  the  United  States  by  offering 
them  guns,  ammunition,  and  blankets,  on  conditions  that  they  would 
assist  him  in  opposing  the  advance  of  the  United  States  troops  into 
the  Territory  ;  and  he  has  not  only  made  these  overtures  by  his 
agents,  but  has  at  sundry  times  made  them  in  person.  How  far  he 
may  have  succeeded  in  his  plots  of  treason  at  the  expense  of  the  gov- 
ernment may  not  as  yet  be  fully  known  and  understood  ;  but  one 
thing  is  certain,  that  the  more  powerful  tribes  of  the  Utahs  and  Snakes 
have  so  far  resisted  all  the  allurements  that  have  been  offered  them, 
and  kept  themselves  untrammelled  by  this  unholy  alliance  ;  and  I  am 
proud  to  say  that  they  manifest  no  inclination  whatever  to  participate 
in  it. 

And  this  fact  has,  no  doubt,  been  a  source  of  disappointment  to  this 
ex-qfficio  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs,  as  he  persists  in  styling  him- 
self, and  invoked  upon  my  head  a  series  of  persecutions,  which  ran  so 
high  at  one  time  that  the  destruction  of  the  Indian  settlement  on  the 
Spanish  fork  (as  I  am  credibly  informed)  was  actually  resolved  upon ; 
and  nothing  perhaps  but  the  fear  of  open  hostilities  with  the  Indians 
prevented  them  from  executing  their  resolution. 

Believing  that  I  had  maintained  my  position  among  them  for  the 
last  three  or  four  months  under  circumstances  ot  the  most  extreme 
hazard  to  my  life,  I  determined,  on  the  twenty-seventh  clay  of  Septem- 
ber last,  to  try  to  make  my  escape,  and  seek  protection  with  the  army, 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  205 

then  en  route  for  Utah  ;  and  for  an  account  of  the  particulars  of  that 
event  I  must  refer  to  my  letter  of  the  24th  October  to  Colonel  A.  S. 
Johnston,  a  copy  of  which  is  also  transmitted  herewith. 

The  policy  which  I  deemed  advisable  to  pursue  with  the  Indians  in 
this  Territory,  so  far  as  they  have  been  placed  under  my  control,  has 
incurred  heavier  disbursements  than  the  appropriations  by  Congress 
would  enable  the  Commissioner  to  liquidate,  and  consequently  exposed 
myself  to  the  reproach  of  being  regarded  as  an  injudicious  public  officer, 
and  unworthy  of  the  public  trust.  But  of  this  I  have  no  disposition, 
at  present,  to  complain,  as  I  have  ever  admired  the  tenacity  with  which 
the  administrators  of  the  government  adhere  to  rules  of  economy  in 
disposing  of  the  national  treasure.  Neither  have  I  any  particular 
desire  to  assume  responsibilities  ;  but  the  conviction  that  the  service 
demanded  my  utmost  exertions  impressed  itself  upon  my  mind  with  a 
force  too  powerful  for  me  to  resist.  Consequently,  I  have  maintained 
this  policy  under  circumstances  of  the  most  extreme  adversity,  and, 
more  recently,,  of  clanger  to  my  life.  Yet  I  am  gratified  to  say  that  I 
now  realize  all  that  I  could  reasonably  have  anticipated  ;  and  in  the 
midst  of  rebellion  and  treason,  on  the  part  of  the  white  population  of 
Utah,  I  am  able  to  present  the  major  portion  of  the  poor  natives  with 
hands  unspotted  and  uncontaminated  by  this  cursed  evil. 

Having  realized  in  this  fact  the  consummation  of  my  fondest  hopes- 
and  only  aim,,  I  would  respectfully  say,  in  conclusion,  that  I  have, 
personally,  no  further  inclination  to  impose  my  services  upon  the 
country. 

Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GARLAND  HURT, 

Indian  Agent,  Utah. 

Hon.  JACOB  FORNEY, 

Superintendent. 


No.  44. 

CAMP  ON  SWEET  WATER, 

October  24,  1857. 

SIR  :  Having  recently  fled  from  the  Indian  settlement  on  Spanish 
fork,  in  the  Territory  of  Utah,  somewhat  precipitately,  and  reached 
this  place  on  yesterday,  after  wandering  for  twenty-seven  days  through 
mountains  and  deseits,  in  company  with  the  Utah  Indians,  I  venture 
to  trouble  you  with  a  brief  statement  of  the  circumstances  which  in- 
duced me  to  abandon  the  agency  and  entrust  my  life  to  the  care  and 
protection  of  the  savages. 

For  some  time  previous  to  my  departure  it  had  been  the  settled 
opinion  of  the  people  of  Utah  that  the  troops  could  not  get  further 
than  Green  river  this  season,  consequently  I  reasonably  concluded 
that  the  territorial  officers  would  not  venture  to  cross  the  mountains 
before  spring  ;  and  under  the  embarrassed  condition  in  which  the 
detention  of  the  mails,  and  the  very  unsettled  state  of  governmental 


206  UTAH    EXPEDITION. 

relations  with  Utah  had  placed  me,  I  deemed  it  important  to  seek  an 
interview  with  them  before  winter  set  in.  And  as  I  had  been  pre- 
viously advised  that  no  person  would  be  allowed  to  leave  the  Terri- 
tory or  cross  the  mountains  without  the  humiliating  ceremony  of 
applying  to  Brigham  Young  for  a  passport,  the  alternative  of  organi- 
zing an  Indian  escort  suggested  itself  to  my  mind,  the  first  conception 
of  which  grew  out  of  the  deep  concern  these  untutored  creatures  had 
for  my  safety ;  and  I  was  the  more  inclined  to  avail  myself  of  this 
suggestion  from  the  fact  that  several  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Uinta  coun- 
try were  then  on  a  visit  at  the  farm,  soliciting  me  to  accompany  them 
to  that  valley  for  the  purpose  of  inspecting  the  adaptation  of  its 
climate  and  soil  for  the  cultivation  of  grain,  as  they  had  become 
much  pleased  with  the  course  of  policy  we  were  pursuing  with  the 
Indians  in  Utah  county. 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th  ultimo,  while  I  was  yet  discussing  the 
propriety  of  this  resolution  in  my  mind,  some  half  dozen  of  the  na- 
tives rushed  into  my  office  room,  exclaiming,  "Friend!  friend!  the 
Mormons  will  kill  you !"  and  pointed  to  the  window  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  house.  On  looking  out,  to  my  surprise,  I  saw  seventy-five 
or  one  hundred  armed  dragoons  stationed  in  the  road  about  a  mile 
from  the  house  ;  and  as  I  did  not  manifest  quite  as  much  concern  as 
the  Indians  thought  the  occasion  justified,  they  gathered  hold  of  me 
and  gave  me  to  understand  that  they  would  not  let  me  stay  any 
longer.  I  commenced  arranging  my  official  papers  so  as  to  be  able  to 
remove  them  instantly  if  necessary,  for  I  did  not  understand  what  it 
all  meant.  In  a  few  seconds  another  Indian  came  in  to  inform  me 
that  the  Spanish  fork  canon  was  full  of  Mormons  armed  with  guns 
and  pistols,  and  said  they  were  going  to  kill  me  ;  and  he  had  scarcely 
time  to  tell  his  story  when  another  came  in  great  haste  and  said  that 
a  Mormon  squaw,  at  Springville,  had  told  him  to  run  and  tell  me 
that  the  Mormons  were  going  to  kill  me.  He  also  reported  a  large 
body  of  armed  men  on  the  road  between  Springville  and  the  Indian 
farm.  It  was  also  reported  by  another  Indian  that  the  Mormons  at 
Payson  (the  town  on  the  south)  were  all  in  arms,  (although  it  was 
the  Sabbath.) 

The  Indians  would  not  quit  my  room,  but  began  to  gather  up  my 
bedding  and  wearing  apparel,  when  my  interpreter  came  into  the 
room  in  an  apparent  state  of  excitement,  and  exclaimed:  " Doctor, 
you're  gone  in  !" 

I  asked  what  it  all  meant.  He  said  it  was  understood  all  over  the 
country  that  I  was  about  leaving  with  the  Indians,  and  handed  me  a 
note  from  Mr.  Butler,  bishop  of  the  Spanish  fork  settlement,  stating 
that  he  had  learned  from  various  sources  that  I  intended  going  out 
with  the  Indians,  in  violation  of  the  martial  laiu  now  in  force.  He 
felt  it  his  duty  to  inform  me  that  I  could  not  leave,  that  they  were 
resolved  to  enforce  the  law  at  all  hazards. 

I  regret  having  mislaid  this  letter,  but  the  above  is  its  purport, 
which  revealed  to  me  the  meaning  of  so  much  military  array. 

To  think  that  an  officer  of  the  government  should  be  thus  menaced 
while  in  the  peaceful  discharge  of  his  official  duties,  could  not  fail  to 
excite  in  the  bosom  of  any  one  possessed  of  a  spark  of  patriotism 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  207 

feelings  of  the  most  indignant  scorn.  To  be  detained  by  force,  and  used 
as  a  tool  in  a  most  treasonable  opposition  to  the  laws  of  the  country, 
as  occasion  might  require,  or  to  fall  a  victim  to  that  brutal  revenge 
which  seeks  gratification  only  in  the  sacrifice  of  life,  was  too  humili- 
ating to  contemplate  for  a  moment.  I  determined  to  extricate  myself 
from  the  dilemma,  or  die  in  the  attempt,  and  turned  to  ask  some  one 
to  bring  my  horse;  but  when  I  reached  the  door  I  found  that  the 
chief's  son,  (a  sprightly  boy,)  had  already  performed  that  service, 
and  while  he  was  saddling  him,  I  gathered  my  papers  and  wearing 
clothes,  threw  them  into  some  meal  sacks,  and  pitched  them  out  of 
doors  to  the  Indians,  who  all  appeared  eager  to  assist  me  in  my 
escape.  In  the  presence  of  an  armed  populace,  I  set  out  in  company 
with  three  Indian  youths,  whose  names  are  Peto,  Sam  and  Showers- 
hockets.  Mr.  Joseph  P.  Walters,  of  Salt  Lake  City,  also  accom- 
panied me. 

Instead  of  going  east,  as  our  enemies  expected,  we  took  a  western 
course;  but  when  it  was  discovered  that  we  intended  reaching  the 
mountains  by  a  circuitous  route,  some  half  dozen  persons  on  horseback 
came  out  from  the  town  of  Payson  to  tap  our  course  just  ahead  of  us. 
We  wheeled  short  to  the  right,  but  just  in  our  front  lay  a  small 
stream  so  deep  and  miry  that  stock  were  not  in  the  habit  of  crossing 
it.  I  urged  my  horse,  and  he  attempted  to  clear  it  at  a  single  bound, 
but,  failing  to  reach  the  opposite  bank  with  his  hind  feet,  fell  back 
into  water  and  mud  over  the  top  of  his  hips.  I  lit  upon  the  bank  over 
his  head,  arid  by  pulling  at  the  reins  assisted  him  in  extricating  him- 
self, which  he  did  after  several  desperate  struggles.  My  comrades 
sallied  down  stream  a  little  and  had  better  success.  Our  pursuers 
were  by  this  time  within  three  or  four  hundred  yards  of  us.  I 
remounted  in  haste  and  soon  found,  to  my  great  satisfaction,  that  the 
stamina  of  the  noble  animal  had  not  been  much  exhausted,  and,  though  I 
lost  my  spur  in  the  struggle,  that  I  could  easily  dispense  with  its  service. 
At  the  distance  of  about  two  miles  we  reached  the  base  of  a  low 
mountain  ranging  north  and  south,  but  were  doubting  the  propriety 
of  pursuing  a  western  course,  as  our  friends  behind  were  not  aware  of 
this  change  of  the  programme ;  but  just  at  this  time  a  despatch  was 
brought  us  by  two  boys  from  the  old  chief,  telling  us  to  be  sure  and 
return  to  the  farm  that  night.  We  reached  the  summit  as  the  sun 
was  about  setting,  and  made  a  feint.  Instead  of  continuing  west,  we 
only  descended  far  enough  below  the  summit  to  hide  ourselves,  and 
turned  north,  and  continued  this  course  for  two  or  three  miles;  when 
we  thought  our  pursuers  were  about  gaming  the  summit,  we  turned 
again  upon  the  eastern  side  of  the  slope,  and  dropped  into  a  little 
hollow,  where  we  waited  for  the  daylight  to  disappear.  This  com- 
pletely foiled  our  enemies,  for.  the  ground  was  so  hard  and  stony 
that  they  could  not  discover  our  tracks  ;  and  as  the  half-grown  moon 
began  to  shed  her  silver  rays  upon  the  mountain  slope,  we  remounted 
and  bounded  over  the  prairie  towards  the  point  from  whence  we  had  set 
out.  We  reached  the  farm  at  about  8  p.  m.,  and  found  about  one 
hundred  of  our  red  friends  anxiously  awaiting  our  return,  and  who 
manifested  great  joy  at  our  arrival.  My  first  inquiry  was,  where  the 
Mormons  were?  when  twenty  voices  shouted  "  cotch  carry  Mormon," 
(not  here  Mormon.) 


208  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

I  had  left  some  forty-five  head  of  horses  and  mules,  and  was  about 
inquiring  for  them,  when  I  discovered  that  they  were  upon  the  back 
of  the  most  of  them.  They  then  related  how  they  had  sallied  out 
during  the  day  and  driven  the  enemy  out  of  the  canon,  with  threats  of 
what  course  they  should  pursue  in  the  event  that  I  and  my  comrades 
were  murdered.  Taking  some  bread  and  meat  that  we  found  in  the 
cellar,  we  made  our  escape  up  the  Spanish  fork  in  the  direction  of  the 
Uinta  country,  and  before  ten  o'clock  the  next  day  had  placed  our- 
selves quite  beyond  the  reach  of  our  enemies,  and  had  passed,  in  the 
meantime,  no  less  than  three  hundred  Indians,  the  most  of  whom  had 
left  the  farm  the  day  before  and  were  halting  on  the  way  to  learn 
more  fully  the  fate  of  the  American,  as  they  called  me  ;  and  before 
sunset  all  my  papers,  clothes,  &c.,  were  returned  to  my  possession. 

From  that  time  hence  I  have  been  entirely  dependent  upon  these 
poor,  untutored  children  of  nature  for  life  and  subsistence.  I  have 
shared  a  liberal  portion  of  their  meagre  hospitalities  and  crude  sym- 
pathies in  my  bereavements  ;  and  though  they  were  evidently  con- 
scious that  they  were  unable  to  treat  me  as  I  had  been  accustomed, 
they  have  manifested  a  devotion  to  my  person  and  a  regard  for  my 
safety  far  in  advance  of  their  present  knowledge  of  Christian  civ- 
ilization. 

When  we  left  the  Indian  settlement  the  season  was  mild  and  salu- 
brious, but  as  early  as  the  9th  instant  we  encountered  a  severe  snow- 
storm, which  pelted  without  mercy  the  naked  skins  of  my  shivering 
escorts  ;  also,  on  the  12th  and  18th,  in  crossing  the  Green  Kiver 
mountains,  we  waded  through  snow  knee  deep,  subjecting  my  party 
to  the  utmost  degree  of  privation  and  suffering,  yet,  throughout,  their 
ttachment  was  unremitting,  and  they  would  often,  when  around 
their  camp  fires,  assure  me  that  if  any  attempt  was  made  to  take 
my  life,  they  would  die  in  my  defence.  The  weather  is  now  becoming 
intensely  cold,  and  even  as  early  as  the  16th  winter  had  set  in  with 
unusual  severity  ;  while,  in  the  meantime,,  we  became  short  of  provi- 
sions, and  were  compelled  to  submit  to  the  most  extreme  suffering 
from  hunger  during  the  last  two  days  of  our  journey,  yet,  through  all 
these  privations,  I  had  the  satisfaction  to  be  frequently  assured  that 
my  companions  would  feel  themselves  amply  rewarded  if  they  could 
only  be  the.  means  of  restoring  me  to  the  bosom  of  my  friends,  and 
relieving  me  from  that  danger  to  which  they  had  so  often  warned  me 
that  my  life  was  exposed. 

I  feel  it  a  duty  which  I  owe  to  the  Utahs  to  make  a  fair  and  candid 
exposition  of  these  facts  ;  for  I  doubt  if  ever  an  agent  of  the  govern- 
ment in  the  Indian  service  witnessed  similar  attachment  for  his 
person,  or  more  loyalty  to  those  laws  and  regulations  which  have 
been  instituted  for  their  government,  than  has  been  manifested  on  this 
occasion. 

The  absence  of  any  one  in  charge  of  this  superintendency,  I  trust, 
will  be  a  sufficient  apology  for  thus  obtruding  these  facts  upon  your 
notice. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

OAKLAND  HURT, 

Indian  Agent. 

Col.  A.  S.  JOHNSTON,  U.  S.  A. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  209 


No.  45. 

OFFICE  SUPERINTENDENT  INDIAN  AFFAIRS, 
Great  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah  Territory,  Oct.  7,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  improve  the  opportunity  by  first  succeeding  mail  via  Panama, 
to  inform  you  that  I  forward  my  report  and  accompanying  papers  for 
the  quarter  ending  September,  J  857,  by  the  hands  of  the  Hon.  J.  M. 
Bernhisel,  our  delegate  to  Congress,  who  accepted  a  very  courteous 
invitation  from  Captain  Van  Vliet,  U.  S.  A.,  to  cross  the  plains  with 
him,  en  route  to  Washington  ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  quarter  was 
not  quite  ended,  I  deemed  that  course  all  the  more  proper  from  the 
fact  that  the  mail  to  this  Territory  from  Independence,  Missouri,  had 
been  stopped  by  the  Post  Office  Department,  and  it  was  not  known 
how  soon  the  mail  from  California  might  also  be  stopped. 

I  have  also  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  Dr.  Garland  Hurt,  a  United 
States  Indian  agent  in  this  superintendency,  saw  fit  to  leave  the  field 
of  his  official  duty  on  the  26th  of  September  last,  in  company  with 
some  Indians,  whom  it  is  said  he  had  hired  to  escort  him  to  the  United 
States  troops,  and  without  having  made  any  report  to  rne  of  his  wishes 
and  designs,  or  of  the  disposition  he  had  made  of  the  affairs  of  his 
agency. 

Such  an  occasionless  and  unwise  movement  on  his  part,  altogether 
needlessly  exposing  himself  to  sickness,  hardship,  and  danger,  I  did  all 
in  my  power,  upon  the  earliest  intimation  of  his  plans,  to  prevent,  as 
will  he  seen  by  a  letter  addressed  to  him,  (a  copy  of  which  I  enclose,) 
but  which,  unfortunately,  did  not  reach  his  place  of  residence  until  a 
few  hours  after  his  departure. 

Trusting  that  my  official  course,  as  above  indicated,  will  meet  the 
cordial  approval  of  your  judgment,  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very 
respectfully, 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 
Governor,  and  ex-officio  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  U.  T. 

Hon.  JAS.  W.  DENVER, 

Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  Washington,  D.  C. 


No.  46. 

OFFICE  SUPERINTENDENT  INDIAN  AFFAIRS, 

Great  Salt  Lake  City,  U.  T.,  Sept.  26,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  am  informed  that  you  purpose  going  to  the  States  by  some 
unfrequented  route,  and  in  company  with  certain  Indians  as  pilots 
and  travelling  companions.  Such  a  course  is  very  unsafe  and  highly 
improper  in  an  officer  of  our  government.  I  therefore  respectfully 
advise  you,  when  you  are  ready  to  start  upon  your  journey  to  the 
east,  to  call  upon  me  at  my  office  in  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  and  I 
hereby  pledge  you  sufficient  escort  and  a  comfortable  carriage  for  your 
speedy  and  safe  transportation  to  the  protection  of  the  United  States 
troops  en  route  for  this  Territory. 

H.  Ex.  Doc.  71 14 


210  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

Trusting  that  this  advice  will  meet  with  cheerful  compliance  on 
your  part,  I  am, 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Governor,  and  ex-qfficio  Sup't  of  Indian  Affairs. 
Dr.  GARLAND  HURT, 

U.  8.  Indian  Agent  for  Territory  of  Utah. 


OFFICE  OF  INDIAN  AGENCY,  U.  T., 
City  of  ProvOj  December  1,  1857. 

SIR  :  I  received  a  letter  from  Governor  Brigham  Young,  who  still 
officiates  as  superintendent  of  Indian  [affairs  (the  newly  appointed 
superintendent  not  having  arrived,)  dated  16th  of  October  last,  in- 
structing me  to  operate  in  the  affairs  of  the  agency  of  Major  Garland 
Hurt,  who  has  seen  proper,  for  reasons  with  which  I  am  not  acquaint- 
ed, to  leave  this  Territory.  I  have  complied  with  the  instructions  of 
the  superintendent,  and  on  the  17th  day  of  October  last,  entered  upon 
the  duties  of  his  agency  in  connexion  with  those  of  my  own ;  and  as 
the  affairs  of  his  agency  are  in  a  somewhat  embarrassed  condition,  H 
will  require  some  time  to  make  out  a  correct  report  of  the  condition 
of  his  affairs  on  the  different  reservations  at  Spanish  fork,  Corn 
creek,  and  north  and  south  San  Pete  ;  but  as  soon  as  circumstances 
will  admit,  I  will  forward  a  report  of  the  condition  of  the  agency,  as 
far  as  I  shall  be  able  to  collect  them  accurately.  I  have  deemed  it 
prudent  to  forward  a  copy  of  the  superintendent's  letter,  for  the  use 
of  the  department. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  most  respectfully,  yo^rob't  serv't, 

GEO.  W.  ARMSTRONG, 

Indian  Agent. 
Hon  JACOB  THOMPSON, 

Secretary  of  the  Interior,  Washington,  D.  C. 


OFFICE  SUPERINTENDENT  OF  INDIAN  AFFAIRS, 
Great  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah  Territory,  Oct.  16,  1857. 

SIR  :  Since  Dr.  Garland  Hurt,  late  United  States  Indian  agent, 
has  seen  proper  to  abandon  his  agency  in  this  Territory,  you  are 
hereby  instructed  to  operate  in  the  affairs  of  his  late  agency,  to  carry 
on  or  to  wind  up  the  affairs  thereof,  to  the  best  interests  of  the  In- 
dians, the  government,  and  all  parties  concerned. 

I  would  recommend  that  Bishop  John  L.  Butler,  at  Spanish  fork, 
Bishop  Warren  S.  Snow,  at  Maute,  Bishop  Lewis  Brunson,  at  Fill- 
more,  and  Bishop  Farnsworth,  at  Beaver,  be  requested  by  you  to  aid 
you  in  carrying  out  this  instruction  in  their  several  localities. 
All  is  peace  and  good  news  from  the  east. 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG, 

Governor,  and  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs. 
GEORGE  W.  ARMSTRONG, 

U.  S.  Indian  Agent. 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  211 

P.  S. — By  reference  to  the  books  of  Major  Hurt,  I  find  that  the  in- 
dividuals mentioned  in  the  superintendent's  letter  are  generally  those 
that  were  in  his  employ  at  the  time  he  left  the  Territory. 
Respectfully,  &c., 

GEORGE  W.  ARMSTRONG, 

Indian  Agent. 

The  foregoing  letters,  marked  47  and  48,  were  received  by  the 
Secretary  of  the  Interior  on  February  16,  1858,  and  referred  to  the 
Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs  on  February  19,  1858. 


ATTORNEY  GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 

February  24,  1858. 

SIR  :  In  reply  to  so  much  of  the  resolution  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, of  the  27th  ult.,  referred  by  you  to  this  office,  calling  for 
"  information  which  gave  rise  to  the  military  expeditions  to  Utah 
Territory,"  &c.,  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  : 

1.  The  letter  of  resignation  of  W.  W.  Drummond,  associate  justice 
of  supreme  court  of  Utah  Territory. 

|  i  2.  The  letter  of  Curtis  Bolton,  deputy  clerk  of  the  supreme  court 
of  Utah  Territory,  in  reply  to  allegations  contained  in  W.  W.  Drum- 
mond's  letter  of  resignation  ;  the  above  being  all  the  correspondence 
on  the  files  of  this  office  relating  to  the  subject. 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

J.  S.  BLACK. 

The  PRESIDENT. 


NEW  ORLEANS,  LA,  April  2,  1857. 

DEAR  SIR  :  When  I  started  for  my  home  in  Illinois,  I  designed 
reaching  Washington  before  the  executive  session  adjourned,  but 
could  not  accomplish  the  long  and  tedious  journey  in  time  ;  thence  I 
concluded  to  come  this  way,  and  go  up  the  Mississippi  river  to 
Chicago. 

You  will  see  that  I  have  made  bold  charges  against  -the  Mormons, 
which  I  think  I  can  prove  beyond  doubt.  You  will  see  by  the  con- 
tents of  the  enclosed  paper,  wherein  is  inserted  my  resignation,  some 
of  the  reasons  that  induced  me  to  resign.  I  now  refer  you  to  Hon. 
D.  W.  Burr,  surveyor  general  of  Utah  Territory,  Hon.  Garland 
Hurt,  Indian  agent ;  also  C.  L.  Craig,  esq.,  D.  L.  Thompson,  esq., 
John  M.  Hockaday,  esq.,  John  Kerr,  esq.,  Gentiles  of  Great  Salt 
Lake  City,  for  proof  of  the  manner  in  which  they  have  been  insulted 
and  abused  by  the  leading  Mormons  for  two  years  past.  I  shall  see 
you  soon  on  the  subject. 

In  haste,  yours  truly, 

W.  W.  DRUMMOND. 

HON.  JEREMIAH  S.  BLACK,  Attorney  General,  dc. 


212  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

Resignation  of  Judge  Drummond. 

MARCH  36,  1857. 

MY  DEAR  SIR  :  As  I  have  concluded  to  resign  the  office  of  justice 
of  the  supreme  court  of  the  Territory  of  Utah,  which  position  I  ac- 
cepted in  A.  A.,  1854,  under  the  administration  of  President  Pierce, 
I  deem  it  due  to  the  public  to  give  some  of  the  reasons  why  I  do  so. 
In  the  first  place,  Brigham  Young,  the  governor  of  Utah  Territory, 
is  the  acknowledged  head  of  the  "  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter 
Day  Saints/'  commonly  called  "  Mormons  ;"  and,  as  such  head,  the 
Mormons  look  to  him,  and  to  Mm  alone,  for  the  law  by  which  they  are 
to  be  governed  :  therefore  no  law  of  Congress  is  by  them  considered 
binding  in  any  manner. 

Secondly.  I  know  that  there  is  a  secret  oath-bound  organization 
among  all  the  male  members  of  the  church  to  resist  the  laws  of  the 
country,  and  to  acknowledge  no  law  save  the  law  of  the  "  Holy  Priest- 
hood," which  comes  to  the  people  through  Brigham  Young  direct 
from  God  ;  he,  Young,  being  the  vicegerent  of  God  and  Prophet,  viz  : 
successor  of  Joseph  Smith,  who  was  the  founder  of  this  blind  and 
treasonable  organization. 

Thirdly.  I  am  fully  aware  that  there  is  a  set  of  men,  set  apart  by 
special  order  of  the  Church,  to  take  both  the  lives  and  property  of  per- 
sons who  may  question  the  authority  of  the  Church  ;  the  names  of 
whom  I  will  promptly  make  known  at  a  future  time. 

Fourthly.  That  the  records,  papers,  &c.,  of  the  supreme  court  have 
been  destroyed  by  order  of  the  Church,  with  the  direct  knowledge  and 
approbation  of  Governor  B.  Young,  and  the  federal  officers  grossly 
insulted  for  presuming  to  raise  a  single  question  about  the  treasonable  act. 

Fifthly.  That  the  federal  officers  of  the  Territory  are  constantly  in- 
sulted, harrassed,  and  annoyed  by  the  Mormons,  and  for  these  insults 
there  is  no  redress. 

Sixthly.  That  the  federal  officers  are  daily  compelled  to  hear  the 
form  of  the  American  government  traduced,  the  chief  executives  of 
the  nation,  both  living  and  dead,  slandered  and  abused  from  the  masses, 
as  well  as  from  all  the  leading  members  of  the  Church,  in  the  most  vul- 
gar, loathsome,  and  wicked  manner  that  the  evil  passions  of  men  can 
possibly  conceive. 

Again  :  That  after  Moroni  Green  had  been  convicted  in  the  district 
court  before  my  colleage,  Judge  Kinney,  of  an  assault  with  intent  to 
commit  murder,  and  afterwards,  on  appeal  to  the  supreme  court,  the 
judgment  being  affirmed  and  the  said  Green  being  sentenced  to  the 
penitentiary,  Brigham  Young  gave  a  full  pardon  to  the  said  Green  be- 
fore he  reached  the  penitentiary  ;  also,  that  the  said  Governor  Young 
pardoned  a  man  by  the  name  of  Baker,  who  had  been  tried  and  sen- 
tenced to  ten  years'  imprisonment  in  the  penitentiary,  for  the  murder 
of  a  dumb  boy  by  the  name  of  White  House,  the  proof  showing  one 
of  the  most  aggravated  cases  of  murder  that  I  ever  knew  being  tried  ; 
and  to  insult  the  court  and  government  officers,  this  man  Young  took 
this  pardoned  criminal  with  him,  in  proper  person,  to  church  on  the 
next  Sabbath  after  his  conviction  ;  Baker,  in  the  meantime,  having 
received  a  full  pardon  from  Governor  Brigham  Young.  These  tvvo  men 
were  Mormons.  On  the  other  hand,  I  charge  the  Mormons,  and  Governor 


UTAH   EXPEDITION.  213 

Young  in  particular,  with  imprisoning  five  or  six  young  men  from 
Missouri  and  Iowa,  who  are  now  in  the  penitentiary  of  Utah,  without 
those  men  having  violated  any  criminal  law  in  America.  But  they 
were  anti-Mormons — poor,  uneducated  young  men  en  route  for  Cali- 
fornia ;  but  because  they  emigrated  from  Illinois,  Iowa,  or  Missouri, 
and  passed  by  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  they  were  indicted  by  a  probate 
court,  and  most  brutally  and  inhumanly  dealt  with,  in  addition  to 
being  summarily  incarcerated  in  the  saintly  prison  of  the  Territory  of 
Utah.  I  also  charge  Governor  Young  with  constantly  interfering 
with  the  federal  courts,  directing  the  grand  jury  whom  to  indict  and 
whom  not ;  and  after  the  judges  charge  the  grand  juries  as  to  their 
duties,  that  this  man  Young  invariably  has  some  member  of  the 
grand  jury  advised  in  advance  as  to  his  will  in  relation  to  their 
labors,  and  that  his  charge  thus  given  is  the  only  charge  known,  obeyed, 
or  received  by  all  the  grand  juries  of  the  federal  courts  of  Utah  Ter- 
ritory. 

Again,  sir,  after  a  careful  and  mature  investigation,  I  have  been 
compelled  to  come  to  the  conclusion,  heart-rending  and  sickening  as 
it  may  be,  that  Captain  John  W.  Gunnison,  and  his  party  of  eight 
others,  were  murdered  by  the  Indians  in  1853,  under  the  orders,  ad- 
vice, and  direction  of  the  Mormons  ;  that  my  illustrious  and  distin- 
guished predecessor,  Hon.  Leonidas  Shaw,  came  to  his  death  by 
drinking  poisoned  liquors,  given  to  him  under  the  order  of  the  lead- 
ing men  of  the  Mormon  Church  in  Great  Salt  Lake  City  ;  that  the  late 
secretary  of  the  Territory,  A.  W.  Babbitt,  was  murdered  on  the 
plains  by  a  band  of  Mormon  marauders,  under  the  particular  and  spe- 
cial order  of  Brigham  Young,  Hebr  C.  Kimball,  and  J.  M.  Grant, 
and  not  by  the  Indians,  as  reported  by  the  Mormons  themselves,  and 
that  they  were  sent  from  Salt  Lake  City  for  that  purpose,  and  that 
only  ;  and  as  members  of  the  Danite  Band  they  were  bound  to  do  the 
will  of  Brigham  Young  as  the  head  of  the  church,  or  forfeit  their  own 
lives.  These  reasons,  with  many  others  that  I  might  give,  which 
would  be  too  heart-rending  to  insert  in  this  communication,  have  in- 
duced me  to  resign  the  office  of  justice  of  the  Territory  of  Utah,  and 
again  return  to  my  adopted  State  of  Illinois. 

My  reason,  sir,  for  making  this  communication  thus  public  is,  that 
the  democratic  party,  with  which  I  have  always  strictly  acted,  is  the 
party  now  in  power,  and,  therefore,  is  the  party  that  should  now  be 
held  responsible  for  the  treasonable  and  disgraceful  state  of  affairs 
that  now  exists  in  Utah  Territory.  I  could,  sir,  if  necessary,  refer  to 
a  cloud  of  witnesses  to  attest  the  reasons  I  have  given,  and  the  charges, 
bold  as  they  are,  against  those  despots,  who  rule  with  an  iron  hand 
their  hundred  thousand  souls  in  Utah,  and  their  two  hundred  thou- 
sand souls  out  of  that  notable  Territory  ;  but  I  shall  not  do  so,  for  the 
reason  that  the  lives  of  such  gentlemen  as  I  should  designate  in  Utah 
and  in  California,  would  not  be  safe  for  a  single  day. 

In  conclusion,  sir,  I  have  to  say  that,  in  my  career  as  justice  of  the 
supreme  court  of  Utah  Territory,  I  have  the  consolation  of  knowing 
that  I  did  my  duty,  that  neither  threats  nor  intimidations  drove  me 
from  that  path.  Upon  the  other  hand,  I  am  pained  to  say  that  I  ac- 
complished little  good  while  there,  and  that  the  judiciary  is  only 
treated  as  a  farce.  The  only  rule  of  law  by  which  the  infatuated  fol- 


214  UTAH   EXPEDITION. 

lowers  of  this  curious  people  will  be  governed,  is  the  law  of  the  church, 
and  that  emanates  from  Governor  Brigham  Young,  and  him  alone. 

I  do  helieve  that,  if  there  was  a  man  put  in  office  as  governor  of 
that  Territory,  who  is  not  a  member  of  the  church,  (Mormon.)  and  he 
supported  with  a  sufficient  military  aid,  much  good  would  result  from 
such  a  course  ;  but  as  the  Territory  is  now  governed,  and  as  it  has 
been  since  the  administration  of  Mr.  Fillrnore,  at  which  time  Young  re- 
ceived his  appointment  as  governor,  it  is  noonday  madness  and  folly 
to  attempt  to  administer  the  law  in  that  Territory.  The  officers  are 
insulted,  harassed,  and  murdered  for  doing  their  duty,  and  not  recog- 
nizing Brigham  Young  as  the  only  law-giver  and  law-maker  on  earth. 
Of  this  every  man  can  bear  incontestable  evidence  who  has  been  will- 
ing to  accept  an  appointment  in  Utah  ;  and  I  assure  you,  sir,  that  no 
man  would  be  willing  to  risk  his  life  and  property  in  that  Territory 
after  once  trying  the  sad  experiment. 

With  an  earnest  desire  that  the  present  administration  will  give 
due  and  timely  aid  to  the  officers  that  may  be  so  unfortunate  as  to  ac- 
cept situations  in  that  Territory,  and  that  the  withering  curse  which 
now  rests  upon  this  nation  by  virtue  of  the  peculiar  and  heart-rending 
institutions  of  the  Territory  of  Utah,  may  be  speedily  removed,  to  the 
honor  and  credit  of  our  happy  country,  I  now  remain  your  obedient 
servant, 

W.  W.  DRUMMOND, 

Justice  Utah  Territory. 

Hon.  JEREMIAH  S.  BLACK, 

Attorney  General  of  the  United  States,  Washington  City,  D.  0. 


GREAT  SALT  LAKE  CITY,  UTAH  TERRITORY. 

SIR  :  My  attention  having  been  drawn  to  the  letter  of  Justice  W. 
W.  Drummond,  under  date  of  March  30,  1857,  addressed  to  yourself, 
tendering  his  resignation  as  associate  justice  for  Utah,  wherein  my 
office  is  called  in  question,  I  feel  it  incumbent  upon  me  to  make  to  you 
the  following  report : 

Justice  W.  W.  Drummond,  in  his  "  fourth"  paragraph,  says: 
"  The  records,  papers,  &c.,  of  the  supreme  court  have  been  destroyed 
by  order  of  Governor  B.  Young,  and  the  federal  officers  grossly  in- 
sulted for  presuming  to  raise  a  single  question  about  the  treasonable 
act." 

I  do  solemnly  declare  this  assertion  is  without  the  slightest  founda- 
tion in  truth.  The  records,  papers,  &c.,  of  the  supreme  court  in 
this  Territory,  together  with  all  decisions  and  documents  of  every  kind 
belonging  thereto,  from  Monday,  September  22,  1851,  at  which  time 
said  court  was  first  organized,  up  to  this  present  moment,  are  all  safe 
and  complete  in  my  custody,  and  not  one  of  them  missing,  nor  have 
they  ever  been  disturbed  by  any  person. 

Again,  in  the  decision  of  tne  supreme  court  in  the  case  of  Moroni 
Green ,  the  which  decision  was  loritten  by  Judge  Drummond  himself,  I 
find  the  following  words :  u  That  as  the  case,  for  which  Green  was 
convicted,  seems  to  have  been  an  aggravated  one,  this  court  does* 
remit  the  costs  of  the  prosecution,  both  in  this  court  and  in  the  court 


UTAH  EXPEDITION.  215 

below."  Green  was  provoked  to  draw  a  pistol  in  self-defence,  but  did 
not  point  it  at  any  one.  He  was  a  lad  of  18  years  old.  Much  feeling 
was  excited  in  his  favor,  and  he  was  finally  pardoned  by  the  governor, 
upon  a  petition  signed  by  the  judges  and  fficers  of  the  United  States, 
courts,  the  honorable  secretary  of  state,  and  many  of  the  influential 
citizens  of  Great  Salt  Lake  City. 

Again  :  in  relation  to  the  "  incarceration  of  five  or  six  young  men 
from  Missouri  and  Iowa,  who  are  now  (March  30,  1857,)  in  the  peni- 
tentiary of  Utah,  without  tnose  men  having  violated  any  criminal  law 
in  America,"  &c.  This  statement  is  also  utterly  false. 

I  presume  he  alludes  to  the  incarceration,  on  the  22d  January,  1856, 
of  three  men,  and  on  the  29th  January,  1856,  of  one  more  ;  if  so, 
these  arc  the  circumstances  : 

There  were  quite  a  number  of  persons  came  here  as  teamsters  in 
Gilbert  and  Gerrish's  train  of  goods,  arriving  herein  December,  1855, 
after  winter  had  set  in.  They  arrived  here  very  destitute ;  and  at 
that  season  of  the  year  there  is  nothing  a  laboring  man  can  get  to  do. 
Some  of  these  men  entered  the  store  of  S.  M.  Blair  &  Co.,  at  various 
times  in  the  night,  and  stole  provisions,  groceries,  &c.  Some  six  or 
eight  were  indicted  for  burglary  and  larceny.  Three  plead  guilty, 
and  a  fourth  was  proven  guilty  ;  and  the  four  were  sentenced  to  the 
penitentiary  for  the  shortest  time  the  statute  allowed  for  the  crime  ; 
and  just  as  soon  as  the  spring  of  1856  opened,  and  a  company  was 
preparing  to  start  for  California,  upon  a  petition  setting  forth  miti- 
gating circumstances,  the  governor  pardoned  them,  and  they  went 
on  their  way  to  California.  It  was  a  matter,  well  understood  here  at 
the  time,  that  these  men  were  incarcerated  more  particularly  to  keep 
them  from  committing  further  crime  during  the  winter. 

Since  that  time  there  have  been  but  four  persons  sentenced  to  the 
penitentiary,  one  for  forgery  and  three  for  petty  larceny,  for  terms  of 
sixty  and  thirty  days,  to  wit :  One  on  the  19th  November,  1856,  for 
larceny,  thirty  days  ;  two  on  the  24th  November,  1856,  for  aggravated 
larceny,  sixty  days  ;  and  one  on  the  26th  January,  1857,  for  forgery, 
thirty  days.  So  that  on  the  30th  March,  1857,  (the  date  of  W.  W. 
Drummond's  letter,)  there  was  not  a  white  prisoner  in  the  Utah  peni- 
tentiary, nor  had  there  been  for  several  days  previous,  nor  is  there  at 
this  present  writing. 

I  could,  were  it  my  province  in  this  affidavit,  go  on  and  refute  all 
that  Judge  W.  W.  Drummond  has  stated  in  his  aforesaid  letter  of 
resignation,  by  records,  dates,  and  facts  ;  but  believing  the  foregoing 
is  sufficient  to  show  you  what  reliance  is  to  be  placed  upon  the  asser- 
tions or  word  of  W.  W.  Drummond,  I  shall  leave  the  subject. 

In  witness  of  the  truth  of  the  foregoing  affidavit,  I  have  hereunto 
subscribed  my  name  and  affixed  the  seal  of  the  United  States 
supreme  court  for  Utah  Territory,  at  Great  Salt  Lake  City,, 
this  twenty-sixth  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1857. 

CURTIS  E.  BOLTON, 
Deputy  Clerk  of  said  U.  S.  Supreme  Court  for  Utah, 

in  the  absence  of  W.  J.  Appleby,  Clerk v 
Hon.  JEREMIAH  S.  BLACK, 

Attorney  General  of  the  United  States,  Washington,  D.  C. 


[L.  S.] 


